When you think of classic Pennsylvania Dutch desserts, this Funny Cake recipe should be at the top! A moist vanilla cake and rich chocolate fudge are baked in a flakey pie crust. Top a slice with ice cream or whipped cream for an unforgettable experience.
Growing up in the middle of Pennsylvania, I have eaten my share of Pennsylvania Dutch desserts and Amish treats. One of my favorite things to do in the fall was to go to craft fairs.
To be honest, I was really there for whoopie pies and pumpkin rolls. One year I tried a slice of funny cake and I fell in love with the simple but delicious treat.
Why You Will Love this Pie Cake
This funny cake recipe is the perfect dessert for your next get together. It is really easy to prepare, not too sweet, and everyone loves it.
When you can't decide between pie or cake for dessert, make this funny cake.The best part is watching the fudge layer magically sink to the bottom as it bakes.
What is Funny Cake?
This is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert recipe. The name was given to it because of the funny way it bakes. The flakey pie crust is filled with a moist vanilla cake batter and then covered with a dark chocolate topping.
Apparently, it is funny because as the cake pie recipe bakes, the chocolate layer sinks to the bottom.
Ingredients Needed
All you need to make this PA dutch dessert from scratch are simple ingredients from your pantry.
- Pie Crust - A refrigerated pie crust saves time, but feel free to make a homemade pie crust, if you prefer.
- Butter - I like to use unsalted butter in all my recipes and control the amount of salt. If you are using salted butter, reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
- Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the cake batter.
- Extracts - A mixture of vanilla extract and almond extract gives it a great taste.
- Egg & Milk - The liquids needed to give the batter moisture.
- Cocoa Powder - My favorite cocoa powder is Hershey's dark cocoa. It gives it a rich dark color and taste.
- Flour - Provides structure to the dough. Use the spoon and sweep method when you are measuring. We have a post on how to measure flour if you are unsure how to do this correctly.
- Baking Powder - Provides the lift as the pie cake bakes.
How to make Funny Cake
This Pennsylvania Dutch cake is made up of three different layers. Follow these easy steps and you will be enjoying your own funny cake pie in no time at all.
Pie Crust
- Unroll a refrigerated pie crust according to package directions.
- Place in pie plate and crimp edges. Refrigerate until needed.
Cake Batter
- Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Add the egg and extracts and mix again.
- Beat in salt, baking powder, and half the flour.
- Add the rest of the flour and milk and mix again.
Chocolate Fudge
- Stir together sugar and cocoa powder.
- Whisk in hot water and vanilla and stir until dissolved.
Assemble & Bake
- Spread the vanilla cake batter evenly in the bottom of the pie crust.
- Spoon or slowly pour the chocolate syrup on top of the cake batter.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out mostly clean.
Storage
Keep this funny cake in a sealed container on the counter for 2-3 days, if it lasts that long. This is a great cake recipe to make ahead of time because it keeps for a few days.
Tips and Tricks
- Serving a crowd? Double the ingredients and bake two funny cakes.
- Almond extract takes this cake to a new level. It really does add a delicious flavor when mixed with vanilla.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet to get it in and out of the oven easily.
- Spoon or pour the chocolate mixture on very slowly, so you do not disturb the cake batter.
- Want a crunch in your funny cake? Try adding ½ cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut to the top of the cake before baking.
- Serve slices of chocolate funny cake with vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped cream and almond slices.
More Easy Pie Recipes
- Coconut Chocolate Pie
- Apple Crisp Pie
- Peanut Butter Pie Bars
- Homemade Cherry Pie
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars
- Mini Strawberry Pies
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Recipe
Funny Cake
Watch magic happen in your oven as the layers in this Funny Cake switch places while it bakes. A swirl of whipped cream and almonds makes this sweet and gooey fudge cake extra special.
Ingredients
For the Funny Cake
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour*
- ½ cup milk
For the Chocolate
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup hot water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll pie crust and place in 9-inch pie plate. Crimp edges and refrigerate until needed.
- Mix sugar and butter in a large bowl until creamy. Add egg and extracts and mix again.
- Add salt, baking powder, and half of flour and beat on low speed until mixed in.
- Add remaining flour and milk and mix again. Pour batter into prepared pie crust.
- Stir together sugar and cocoa powder. Add hot water and vanilla and stir until dissolved.
- Slowly pour chocolate mixture over cake batter.
- Gently place pie plate in oven and bake 35-38 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cake center comes out mostly clean.
- Remove and let cool on wire rack. Serve slices with homemade whipped cream and sliced almonds.
Notes
*Spoon & Sweep method: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup with flour until required amount is obtained. Scooping measuring cup directly into flour bag will firmly pack flour resulting in too much flour required for recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 332Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 2gSugar: 27gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Peach
This is my wife's favorite birthday cake. We do not live in PA, so every year I searched the internet to order some Funny cakes. It is very hard to find someone who ships them. This year I decided to make it for her using this recipe.
I first read several recipes, started a different one and then discovered this one. THANK YOU for making an easy to understand, easy to follow recipe! The photos really helped too - the ingredients and also how to pour the mixtures and blend the ingredients. It came out AMAZING! I don't toot my own horn in baking, but I was really happy and more importantly my wife was. She has asked that I make it every year and I will only be using this recipe.
Jocelyn
You are so very welcome! I am honored and thrilled that you found my recipe and it was a hit for you and your wife! Thank you for coming back and commenting. Your comment made my day! Reviews like this are why I do what I do! ❤️
Christen
I made this today, sad to say it turned out awful. I followed the recipe instructions. I had to throw it away.
Jocelyn
I'm sorry to hear this didn't work for you. What was so aweful about it? We have made it many times, and it always tastes so good.
Sandra Schili
Hi,
Sounds and looks so good. Just wondering if the pie crust should be blind baked. Thank you.
Sandy
Jocelyn
I did not blind bake the crust before filling it with the cake batter. It was baked all the way through doing it this way. I hope you enjoy the cake pie.