Today’s moment of Zen: Life is not a series of ever-ascending triumphs.

I made a fast-and-easy (and tasty) pudding cake yesterday, but when I unmolded it from the Bundt pan, the top part of the center segment didn’t seem to want to leave the pan. And that left me with a small problem. What could I do to make it look somewhat deliberate, or at least prevent it from appearing damaged? Since the pieces around the edge seemed to resemble a flower, I filled in the center with peach butter to help complete the illusion. Could have been anything, actually, and I may employ salted caramel or some other fruit filling next time, intentionally, because I liked the outcome. Sometimes it takes a fortuitous accident to inspire a rethink.

INGREDIENTS:

4 eggs
1 cup / 240ml water
1/4 cup / 60ml olive (or neutral vegetable) oil
1 package instant pudding (I used vanilla)
1 box cake mix [I used Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake (not uranium yellowcake)]
1/2 cup / 160gm peach butter or other filling (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Combine liquid ingredients with eggs. Add pudding and cake mix a bit at a time; beat until smooth. Pour contents into greased Bundt pan or other cake pan. Bake for 35-37 minutes in Bundt pan (less in cake pan), until a toothpick in center comes out smooth. If using a Bundt pan, cool on rack for 15-20 minutes, then unmold. Create space for filling by hollowing out a bit of the center. Add peach butter or other filling of your choice to the hollow. You could sprinkle powdered sugar on top, but it’s by no means necessary. Lots of room to play.

And you know what? If it unmolds perfectly, and you don’t wind up “customizing” it, you’ll still have a tasty cake.

Serves 8-16, depending on the size and appetite of your guests.