Penny’s One-Egg Cake

Written by Mary Burcin in Childrens Stories
Little girl baking mixing bowl

Part 1:

One day, a young girl named Penny decided to bake a birthday cake for her little brother.  Adam was going to be one year old on the first day of January. Penny looked on the first page of the brand new calendar that hung on the wall in the kitchen. Baby brother’s birthday was marked on Sunday, the first day of the week.  “I better get started right away since his birthday is tomorrow,” she thought.  

She knew that eggs, and milk, and flour were needed, but not how much. Penny looked in the refrigerator and brought out the milk and the egg carton. There was plenty of milk, because the container was full.  But the egg carton felt very light. When Penny opened the carton, she was disappointed to find only one egg.  Then she  remembered that she could find a recipe using just one egg if she used the internet. So she typed in a search for “one egg cake” and found a recipe to follow. The recipe called for butter, sugar, baking powder, and vanilla.  She put all these ingredients on the table, and got out the flour, mixing bowls, measuring spoons, and a measuring cup, too.  She almost forgot to get the salt out.  But now she was almost ready to begin.

Penny printed out the recipe, and checked to see if there was anything she had forgotten.  She would also need a mixing spoon and a cake pan.  Then she turned on the oven to 350 degrees to preheat. She also buttered the baking pan.

After Penny followed the recipe, she poured the cake batter into the buttered square pan.  She put the cake in the oven to bake, and remembered to set the timer for 30 minutes.  When the timer rang, she removed the hot cake from the oven and checked to see if it was really done.  She was pleased to see that it was done.  Penny would let it cool before she could put blue icing on it.  When she had finished putting the icing on Adam’s cake, she carefully placed one candle right in the middle.  Now her gift for her little brother was ready, and it was time to celebrate Adam’s first birthday.  

“Happy Birthday Adam,” she sang. “I love you, little brother.”

Discussion questions for part 1:

  1. Why did Penny want to bake a cake?
  2. How did Penny find a recipe to use?
  3. Why is it important to check for all ingredients before you begin baking?
  4. Look for words or phrases that make you think of counting.

Part 2:

Here is the recipe Penny used:

1 EGG CAKE 
1/2 cup butter, slightly softened1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten until light
1 cup milk2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or other flavoring

This is a simple cake that can be the base of many last minute desserts. Frost with a favorite frosting, top with fresh or canned fruits in syrup and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar or serve with ice cream or sliced with a sandwich of pudding or custard. Almond, lemon, orange or other flavorings may be substituted for the vanilla and grated citrus peel or ginger can be added as variations.

Preheat oven to 350°F.Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg and beat for 2 minutes or until light. Measure the milk into a measuring cup and add the vanilla to it .In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Begin to add the dry and wet ingredients to the creamed butter, sugar and egg mixture alternating them in the following order:
Stir in 1 cup of the flour mixture, then milk mixture, then remaining flour mixture. Beat for 30 seconds, or only until combined. (For a tender cake, do not overbeat the batter once the flour has been added).

Bake in a buttered 9 inch square pan for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Submitted by: CM

Discussion questions for part 2:

  1. How many ingredients are needed to bake this cake?
  2. What does it mean to preheat the oven?
  3. How are counting and measuring used in baking a cake?
  4. What was a toothpick used for in the recipe?

Part 3:

Penny wanted to make something special for her little brother’s birthday. We have opportunities to show kindness to others in many ways.  What does the verse of scripture below mean?

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 

From Matthew 5:16

As you write the rest of the story, think about little Adam.   One year old is still very little, and some children are only learning to walk and talk.  Did you ever babysit or play with a young child?  What was that like? What might have happened next in your story?  We can make time to bring happiness to others in many different ways.  Even telling a story can do that.

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