This Easy Old Fashioned Green Tomato Cake is a fun twist on dessert! It uses ripe green tomatoes to create a moist and sweet cake that’s perfect for surprise guests.
The best part? You’ll impress everyone without telling them the secret ingredient! I love serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a little extra treat. Yum!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Green Tomatoes: The star of this recipe! They bring moisture and a unique flavor. If you can’t find them, you can use very ripe regular tomatoes, but the taste will be different.
All-Purpose Flour: This flour is perfect for the cake’s structure. If you’re gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. It usually works well as a substitute.
Granulated Sugar: This sweetens the cake nicely. For a healthier option, you could use coconut sugar or even honey, just reduce other liquid ingredients a bit.
Nuts: I love adding walnuts for texture and flavor. If you’re nut-free, feel free to leave them out or replace them with seeds like sunflower seeds for crunch!
How Do You Make the Cake Moist and Flavorful?
The key to a moist cake is the proper mixing technique. Here’s how to get it right:
- Combine your dry ingredients first. This ensures even distribution of the baking soda and spices.
- When mixing wet and dry ingredients, do it gently. Over-mixing can lead to a tough cake. Mix until just combined!
- Adding the chopped green tomatoes last helps retain their texture in the cake.
Also, make sure to cool the cake completely before adding the glaze. This helps the glaze set nicely without soaking into the cake. Enjoy making this unique dessert!
Easy Old Fashioned Green Tomato Cake
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups green tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) – optional
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or buttermilk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Grated lemon zest (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful cake will take about 15 minutes to prep and 45-55 minutes to bake. Plus, you’ll want to give it some time to cool before adding the glaze, so set aside around 2 hours in total for everything—from prep to serving. Perfect for a cozy afternoon baking session!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or a 9-inch square pan so your cake doesn’t stick.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Give it a good stir with a whisk to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
3. Whisk the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, beat together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until everything is well blended. You want it nice and smooth!
4. Combine Everything:
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. Avoid over-mixing; it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
5. Add the Green Tomatoes:
Gently fold in the finely chopped green tomatoes and nuts (if you’re using them). This will add great texture and flavor to your cake!
6. Pour and Bake:
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes. You can test it by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, it’s done!
7. Cool the Cake:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This step is important to ensure it holds together nicely when you glaze it.
8. Make the Glaze:
While your cake is cooling, you can whip up the glaze! In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or buttermilk), vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth. You can adjust the thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
9. Drizzle and Serve:
Once the cake is cool, drizzle the glaze over the top. Slice it into pieces and serve. This cake is lovely on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dab of whipped cream!
This cake features moist green tomato pieces within a warmly spiced cake, topped with a simple sweet glaze. It’s an easy, nostalgic dessert that makes great use of green tomatoes!
FAQ for Easy Old Fashioned Green Tomato Cake
Can I Use Ripe Tomatoes Instead of Green Tomatoes?
While this recipe is designed for green tomatoes, you can substitute very ripe regular tomatoes in a pinch. However, the flavor and texture will be different, and the cake may be a bit wetter, so adjust cooking time as needed.
How Do I Store Leftover Cake?
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer it chilled, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. Just make sure to let it come back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture!
Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! You can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for all-purpose flour. Just check that your other ingredients are also gluten-free to ensure the entire cake is safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
How Can I Enhance the Flavor of This Cake?
For an extra flavor kick, consider adding a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla extract. You could also mix in some chopped dried fruit or coconut to the batter for added texture and sweetness!
