Nana’s Funny Cake is the perfect dessert for a family gathering or weekend party. The piecrust adds a unique twist to a traditional cake recipe. This cake has a delicious chocolate-y layer on the bottom and a crunchy chocolate layer on top.

This recipe comes courtesy of Mary Lou Knauss of Duncannon, Pennsylvania.

“My mother-in-law made this Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for years. She brought it to the family cabin whenever we spent weekends together, and it has always been a family favorite! She shared the recipe with me when I got married, along with some of her other wonderful recipes. It continues to be a requested dessert.”

Crust:

Ingredients2 unbaked 9-inch piecrusts

Cake:

Ingredients2 cups all-purpose flour1½ cups sugar1 cup milk1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened, or shortening2 teaspoons baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt2 eggs

Topping:

Ingredients1 cup sugar3/4 cup hot water1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two pie plates with piecrust. 
2. For cake:In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, milk, butter, baking powder, salt, and eggs. Pour half into each pie crust. 
3. For topping:In a bowl, combine sugar, hot water, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Pour half of topping over each pie.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

Note:During baking, the chocolate “topping” sinks to the bottom of the cake, forming a chocolate layer seen in the picture above.