Sock it to me cake is a delicious and moist cake that originated in the southern United States. This classic dessert has been enjoyed by many for several decades and has become a staple in Southern cuisine. The cake is made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, oil, and sour cream, and is typically flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Its name is derived from the surprise filling layer of cinnamon, nuts, and brown sugar that is nestled in the center of the cake, which is said to “sock it to you” with its sweet and spicy flavor. Sock it to me cake has since become a popular dessert for special occasions and holidays, and has been adapted into various flavors such as lemon, chocolate, and pumpkin. Its classic and timeless taste has made it a favorite among many dessert enthusiasts, and its unique filling layer adds an element of surprise that is sure to impress anyone who tries it. Whether you’re a fan of traditional southern desserts or just looking for something new to try, sock it to me cake is a must-try dessert that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
A Brief History of Sock It To Me Cake
Origins and Early Development
Sock It To Me Cake is a classic American dessert that originated in the 1960s. This cake has been around for over five decades and has become a staple in many Southern households. The recipe is believed to have originated from the Betty Crocker cookbook, which was very popular at that time.
The cake’s name, “Sock It To Me,” comes from a phrase often used in the 1960s as slang for “give it to me” or “hit me with it.” The exact origins of this phrase are unknown, but it may have come from African American Vernacular English.
Popularity during the 60s and 70s
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sock It To Me Cake became extremely popular among home bakers in America. The cake’s moist texture, rich cinnamon swirl, and nutty flavor made it an instant hit. Bakers loved its simplicity – it only requires basic pantry ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter – making it an affordable treat for families.
During this time period of post-WWII prosperity in America with increased mobility leading to cultural exchanges within regions as well as across regional boundaries helped spread this cake’s popularity beyond its southern origins.
A Classic Recipe Gets Made Over Time
Over time variations developed with new ingredients such as coconut flakes added or grated carrots mixed into batter; raisins became more widely available so they too were added sometimes replacing nuts entirely; people began using different types of oil instead of just butter which led some versions being denser than others while others still remained light due their use creaming method instead beating whole eggs together before adding dry ingredients.
Despite changes made over years one thing remained constant through these various iterations: its delicious taste!
In recent times there has been resurgence interest among home bakers wanting to recapture the nostalgia of this American classic cake.
Ingredients Used in Sock It To Me Cake
Basic Ingredients
Sock It To Me Cake is a relatively simple cake that only requires basic pantry ingredients. The following are the most common ingredients used in this classic American dessert.
Flour
All-purpose flour or cake flour is typically used as the base ingredient for this cake. These flours have a lower protein content than bread flour, which helps create a tender texture that is not too dense.
Sugar
Granulated white sugar is what makes Sock It To Me Cake sweet. Some bakers prefer to use brown sugar or mix both sugars together for depth of flavor.
Eggs
Eggs serve as a binding agent and give structure to the cake. They also add richness, moisture, and contribute to its yellowish color.
Butter/Oil
Butter adds richness and flavor while oil can make the cake more moist with less density depending on type of oil used such as vegetable or canola oil.
Flavorings
Sock It To Me Cake gets its signature flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract added to the batter. Other variations may include additional flavors such as almond extract, lemon juice or zest.
Cinnamon Swirl
The cinnamon swirl filling adds another layer of complexity to this delicious dessert making it so special! The most commonly used ingredients for cinnamon swirl are:
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar has molasses which adds caramel notes and colour.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon provides warmth spice note flavouring
Pecans/Walnuts/Almonds/Coconut Flakes
Nutty flavours provide contrasting texture against sweeter filling but sometimes swapped out for coconut flakes if nut allergies an issue.
How to Make Sock It To Me Cake
Making Sock It To Me Cake is easy and straightforward. With a few simple steps, you can have this delicious dessert ready in no time.
Ingredients Required
Before starting, gather all the necessary ingredients for the cake batter and cinnamon swirl filling. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:
For the Cake Batter
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl Filling
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
Instructions for Making Sock It To Me Cake
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make this classic American dessert:
Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a Bundt pan or tube pan with cooking spray or butter.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and pinch of salt until well combined.
Cream Butter and Sugar
In large mixing bowl using an electric mixer cream together softened butter with granulated sugar on medium-high speed until lightened in color about 3 minutes.
Add Eggs One at Time
Add eggs one at a time making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding next egg.
Mix Flour Mixture into Wet Ingredient Mixture Alternating with Buttermilk
Reduce mixing speed to low gradually add dry mixture alternating with buttermilk in three additions beginning and ending with dry mixture until just combined.
Make Cinnamon Swirl
Mix together brown sugar, cinnamon and optional nuts in small bowl.
Pour Batter into Bundt Pan
Pour half cake batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top of cinnamon swirl layer.
Bake Cake
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooled, serve your Sock It To Me Cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzled with glaze frosting made from powdered sugar mixed with milk and vanilla extract.
Variations of Sock It To Me Cake
Sock It To Me Cake is a classic American dessert that has been around for over 50 years. Over time, many variations of this cake have been developed, each with its own unique twist on the original recipe. Here are some popular variations of Sock It To Me Cake:
Chocolate Sock It To Me Cake
This variation adds cocoa powder to the basic cake batter to create a chocolate version. The cinnamon swirl filling is still present but often combined with mini chocolate chips for added texture and chocolate flavour.
Lemon Sock It To Me Cake
Lemon zest or juice can be added to the batter or glaze for a zesty citrus kick.
Pumpkin Spice Sock It To Me Cake
Adding pumpkin puree and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice takes this cake into autumn season territory!
Carrot Sock It To Me Cake
Grated carrots are added to the batter along with raisins and nuts creating an even moister texture while adding sweetness from natural sugars found in carrots.
Apple Cinnamon Sock it to me cake
Applesauce is used in place of some of butter/oil resulting in a more tender crumb with apple flavor while cinnamon swirl also includes chopped apples.
Tips for Experimenting with Variations
Here are some tips on how you can experiment when making variations:
Adjust Spices
Experiment by adjusting spice levels depending on your preference without compromising overall balance flavours.
Add Fruit
Try incorporating fruits such as blueberries or raspberries into the filling mixture instead adding them whole into batter before pouring over swirl layer leading more interesting textures within each slice!
Change Up Nuts
Switch up nuts used according personal preferences almonds replacing pecans or walnuts which could result in different flavor profile yet still retain appeal classic original recipe
Use Different Frostings/Glazes
Experiment with different types of frosting or glaze recipes on top of cake for more depth in flavor variations.## FAQs
What is sock it to me cake?
Sock it to me cake is a moist and fluffy cake that typically contains spices and a ribbon of cinnamon sugar streusel that runs through the center. This cake’s name is said to have originated in the 1960s when the phrase “sock it to me” was commonly used in pop culture to mean “give it to me” in an enthusiastic manner.
How is sock it to me cake made?
To make sock it to me cake, you’ll need standard cake ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter as well as vanilla extract, cinnamon, and baking powder. The cinnamon filling is made by mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. First, you’ll make the cake batter and pour half of it into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar-pecan mixture over the batter in the pan, and pour the remaining cake batter on top. Bake for around 45-50 minutes, and allow the cake to cool before serving.
What does sock it to me cake taste like?
Sock it to me cake has a fluffy texture and an unmistakable spicy-sweet flavor profile from the cinnamon filling. The brown sugar in the filling becomes caramelized during baking, giving the cake a subtle hint of caramel flavor. The addition of pecans adds a toasty, nutty flavor, and while the cake can be sweet, the cinnamon and pecans balance out the overall flavor.
Can you substitute any ingredients in sock it to me cake?
Yes, you can customize sock it to me cake to suit your preferences. While the cinnamon-sugar-pecan filling is a classic recipe, you could add a different spice combination or leave the nuts out altogether. You could also swap out some of the flour for almond or coconut flour to make the cake gluten-free. Finally, you could experiment with different frostings or toppings, although traditionally, sock it to me cake is served plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
