A chef shared a unique no-oven cake recipe, and it’s all thanks to a better appliance than an oven for the ‘super soft’ and delicious results
A chef shared a unique no-oven cake recipe, and it’s all thanks to a better appliance than an oven for the ‘super soft’ and delicious results(Image: john shepherd via Getty Images)
Baking is a wonderfully creative pastime to enjoy at weekends, with cake being a universally beloved treat that virtually everyone enjoys. What’s more, it is remarkably straightforward to make, regardless of your level of experience in the kitchen.
One chef, however, has made the bold claim that cake will taste significantly better and turn out “super soft” if you ditch the oven entirely. Chef and TikTok sensation Andy Hearnden, widely known as Andy Cooks, has revealed that there is another kitchen appliance with a wealth of culinary uses that most people are overlooking.
For his cake recipe, he opts for a rice cooker instead. In a video posted earlier this month, Andy said: “Stop treating your rice cooker like it’s only got one job, you pineapple.”
The swap is as straightforward as it sounds — simply replace your oven with a rice cooker. Before preparing the cake batter, chop the pineapple into chunks, reports the Express.
To achieve that gloriously caramelised, gooey texture, add the brown sugar into the rice cooker and cook on the standard setting. The cake batter is then prepared by whisking the egg whites until stiff peaks form, before incorporating the sugar to create a meringue.
Next, fold in the egg yolks, then gradually add the dry ingredients in stages. Once the brown sugar has transformed into a caramel, add the fruit.
Pour the cake batter over the fruit and spread it out evenly. The cake can then be cooked using the standard rice cooker function.
Andy continued: “Pineapple upside down cake in a rice cooker, you say. Hmm, actually becomes almost more of a dessert than a cake. Super soft, lovely, sweet syrup. That’s delicious.”
Andy’s video has garnered more than 284,700 views, along with 11,000 likes and 68 comments at the time of writing, with viewers left firmly split over his unconventional baking technique.
Wentley said: “Heh. It’s a neat trick, but I love the harder, caramelized sugar you get from baking.”
Brandon wrote: “I just bought one and I can’t wait to make meals.”
Klootviool21 commented: “It looks woooooow… it’s only that hot pineapple, not convinced.”
So if you fancy a creative alternative to oven baking, here’s how to whip up this classic treat using nothing but a rice cooker.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
- 115g (4 oz) butter
- 180g (6 ½ oz) light brown sugar
- 400g pineapple pieces
- 10 maraschino cherries
- 120g (4 ¼ oz) cake flour
- 5g (One tsp) baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Four large eggs
- 200g (7 oz) caster sugar
- One tsp vanilla essence
Method
Place the brown sugar and butter into the rice cooker and set it to its standard function. To prepare the cake batter, separate the eggs into two bowls — whites in one, yolks in the other.
Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually whisk in the caster sugar to produce a meringue. Stir the vanilla essence into the yolks and whisk until they turn a pale yellow shade.
Carefully fold the yolks into the meringue. Then, working in two to three batches, gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Switch off the rice cooker after approximately 10 minutes, then arrange the pineapple pieces and cherries over the caramel that should have formed. Pour the cake mixture over the pineapple in the pan and distribute it evenly.
Set your rice cooker to its standard function and when the cycle completes, insert a toothpick or cake tester right to the base of the cake and withdraw it. If it emerges clean, the cake is ready.
Gently invert the cake onto a plate and serve while still warm.
