Leap Year Day Cake

February 29: Leap Year Day

We looked for a Leap Year recipe to eat on the extra day that only comes around once every four years. We found one from a farmer’s cookbook (via the LeapZeum site) which sounded simple enough without focusing on a stereotypical leap frog as a motif. The cake is sweet and dense with a crisp and crackly top. Because of no extra frosting and fancy decorations, this rustic cake is appropriate during Lent as well as on Leap Year Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from LeapZeum)

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter
• 2 cups sugar, granulated white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 egg whites
• ½ cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions

Line a baking pan with wax or parchment paper and mist with cooking spray (we used an 8x8x2-inch square pan). In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Stir in the vanilla. Beat in the egg whites. Pour in the milk.

Add the flour and baking powder. Mix until the batter is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes, testing for doneness with a toothpick.

Remove from the oven. Invert into a wire rack to cool completely. Peel away the wax or parchment paper. Slice and serve plain.

Notes

• Happy birthday to all those who were born on Leap Year Day!
• Congratulations to all those who got engaged on Leap Year Day (see the movie trailer for “Leap Year“)!
• Learn more about Leap Year (calendar and customs) from Wikipedia.
• Thanks to Lisa L. for the Amish-style cake testing broom stick pictured above with our Leap Year Day cake slices.