Ayesha Curry has a well-documented sweet tooth, and she is not afraid to admit it. While it influences her savory cooking, it truly shines when it comes to desserts. However, she insists that sweets do not need to be complicated. In her cookbook "The Seasoned Life," all desserts are designed for simplicity. This particular recipe is a clever cheater recipe that starts with a box of yellow cake mix.
Why This Recipe Works
Curry loves this recipe because it is foolproof. It is nearly impossible to ruin a boxed mix, making it a reliable trick when time is tight. The finished product resembles an upside-down cake but is served right-side up, offering a delightful twist on a classic dessert.
Cast-Iron 'Fruit Cake' Recipe
Makes: 1 (10-inch) cake
Ingredients
- 1 box favorite yellow cake mix (Curry prefers Duncan Hines), plus any ingredients needed for the mix
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 packed cup dark brown sugar
- 1 pint blackberries
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- Leaves from 2 thyme sprigs
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the cake mix batter as directed on the package and set aside.
- In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the brown sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, stir in the berries, pineapple, and thyme. Mix until the brown sugar begins to bubble, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Pour the cake batter into the skillet and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
- Scoop the cake directly from the pan while still warm and serve with vanilla ice cream.
This recipe is excerpted from "The Seasoned Life" by Ayesha Curry, published by Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. Ayesha Curry is an entrepreneur, television host, restaurateur, and author. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, basketball star Stephen Curry, and their four children: daughters Riley and Ryan, and sons Canon and Caius.
