Lazy Daisy Cake is a cherished old-fashioned dessert known for its soft, sponge-like base and rich, caramelized coconut topping. Believed to have originated in the early-to-mid 20th century, it's a classic American comfort cake often passed down in handwritten recipe cards like this one. Loved for its simplicity and nostalgic sweetness, it's a go-to treat for Sunday dinners, potlucks, or cozy family gatherings. The signature broiled topping gives a toasty texture and irresistible flavor that sets it apart from other cakes.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
Topping:
- 5 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup coconut (shredded )
- ½ cup pecans (chopped )
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
- Beat eggs, gradually adding sugar.
- Beat until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Add to egg mixture.
Step 3: Heat Milk & Butter
- Heat milk and 1 tbsp butter to boiling point.
- Add to batter along with vanilla.
- Mix lightly until smooth.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into a greased 8×8-inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes or until golden.
Step 5: Make the Topping
- Mix brown sugar, cream, butter, coconut, and pecans.
- Heat mixture until well blended and slightly thickened.
Step 6: Broil the Topping
- Spread topping on warm cake.
- Broil for 3–5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Tips
- Toast the coconut and pecans lightly before mixing them into the topping for deeper flavor.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a warm spice variation.
- Replace whole milk with buttermilk for a slightly tangier and richer crumb.
- Add ½ teaspoon almond extract alongside the vanilla for extra aroma.
- For a thicker topping, increase brown sugar by 1–2 tablespoons.
- Swap pecans for walnuts if preferred.
- If the topping seems too thick to spread, warm it just a bit longer.
- Serve slightly warm for the most authentic “Lazy Daisy” texture.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a vintage-style dessert.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
excellent Lazy Daisy Cake Noreen 1 cup flour, 1 tea b.p., ¾ tea. salt, 2 eggs ½ cup milk, 1 cup sugar, 1 tbsp. butter, ½ tea vanilla Beat eggs, add sugar gradually Beat until fluffy. sift flour, salt & B.P. together add to egg mixture & beat. Heat milk & butter to boiling point, add to batter. Add vanilla beat slightly. Bake in mod. oven - 350°. until browned. about 30 min. Spread with topping. Place under broiler & over brown Topping 5 tbsp. brown sugar 3 tbsp cream 3 tbsp butter ½ cup coconut ½ cup pecans mix & heat so it will spread.
From Transcription to Instructions
We love this little scrawl, but the original transcription is terse, so we broke that quick note into smaller steps so you can follow along. Our instructions lay out the sequence and tell you to pour the batter into a greased 8×8-inch pan, then bake at 350ºF about 30 minutes. The original simply said "Spread with topping" and broil; our instructions show heating the topping until slightly thickened, spreading it on the warm cake, and broiling 3–5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Nutrition
Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 4gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 2gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 525IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 1.2mg
