A retro dessert guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Its three fundamental ingredients provide a template for all kinds of creative riffs.

And its origins are, at least to me, a mystery.

Close-up of Sad Cake Slices on a Parchment Paper Lined Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Where Did Sad Cake Come From?

I first encountered sad cake on page 190 ofThe Lubbock Womens Club Cookbook, published in 1983.

It called for 2 cups of Bisquick, 4 eggs, and one entire box of brown sugar.

Parchment Paper Lined Plate With Sad Cake Slices Next to a Mug and a Blue and White Table Napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Here are the directions straight from Frances: Mix ingredients by hand.

Pour into greased 13 1/8 x 9 1/2 x 2 pan.

Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.

Stack of Sad Cake Slices on a Small Plate, and in the Surroundings, a Plate With More Sad Cake Slices, a Mug, and a Table Napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

(This cake should rise nicelythen fall as it should!)

I can only imagine that someone messed up a more conventional Bisquick cake recipe and just ran with it.

My sad cake was still squishy after 30 minutes, so I baked it a tad longer.

Bowl of Eggs Whisked Until Frothy for Sad Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

It didnt look sad, per se, but it sure was ugly.

Im an edge piece fanatic, and the corner pieces in particular were dreamy.

I mixed a cup of shredded coconut flakes into my next batch and liked that one even more.

Brown Sugar Mixed Into Bowl of Frothy Eggs for Retro Sad Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The coconut added a dimension and oomph that even coconut haters preferred.

And it tasted even better the next day!

Everyone loved it, it kept fresh for up to 4 days, and was a great conversation starter.

Baking Mix Folded Into the Egg and Brown Sugar Mixture

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Sad cake made me and everyone else happy.

I hope it does the same for you.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk just until frothy.

Shredded Coconut Added to Sad Cake Batter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Then add the brown sugar, vanilla, and salt and beat until well combined.

A few small lumps are okay.

Fold in the coconut.

Sad Cake Batter in a Parchment Paper Lined Baking Sheet for Sad Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Scrape into the prepared pan and smooth the top, making sure to get it in the corners.

The batter will only thinly coat the pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes.

Baked Sad Cake in a Parchment Paper Lined Baking Sheet Sitting on a Cooling Rack

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The cake will puff up dramatically after about 20 minutes, then collapse.

Youll know its done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no streaks.

The top of the cake may have cracks, but don’t freak out.

Sliced Sad Cake in a Parchment Lined Baking Pan With Some of the Cake Slices on a Plate Next to the Baking Pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

They only add character.

Put the pan on a wire rack and let cool for a few hours.

Then cut into bars of your desired size (24 is nice).

Overhead: Stack of Sad Cake Slices on a Small Plate and a Cup of Coffee and a Table Napkin

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Leftovers will keep, tightly covered or wrapped, for up to 5 days.

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