So what do PTA and cake have in common?
I've been in a few PTA committee meetings and let me tell you they have a lot in common.
A friend of mine in the neighborhood, loves baking as much as I do. I have to admit
I'd rather go to the dentist than a committee meeting... but knowing there is a possibility she's
made her famous red velvet cake motivates me to attend anyway.
This week at our school, devoted Mom's are working hard getting ready for the Scholastic Book
Fair in the Media Center... I made a couple of pound cakes yesterday for the opening event for
teachers... and my friend made her famous Red Velvet...
These ladies worked tirelessly day and night to make it look fantastic. There are cute little kitten posters with inspirational quotes, fuzzy pencils topped with hot pink feathers... oh and BOOKS... lots of books. My son could not contain his enthusiasm for attending the book fair today. The book fair is pretty exciting anyway. These Mom's literally work into the night.
Why add cake?
The PTA Moms show love everyday by their hard work and they understand cake makes special events even more special. The Media Center was abuzz with teachers enjoying cake, writing down wishes and children spying to sneak a look... Teacher's stop one another in the hall excitedly sharing with one another what the cake choices are for the day and the cool new books that have come out. Friends on Face Book are writing notes to one another asking for recipes and writing about their exciting cake filled day.
The PTA Moms show their love for their family, community and school by volunteering at the book fair. Homemade cake represents this love in a warm, sweet way. It's another way to wordlessly say thank you to our teacher's and that you mean the world to us.
Cake is Love and so is PTA.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
on |
0
comments
So I NEVER experiment with my own recipes... One of the reasons I bake (and I generally use Southern Living recipes) is that I like that someone else has gone to all the work to figure out the recipe. But I was cleaning out my pantry a few minutes ago and saw lots of sweetened condensed milk that I got on sale back after Christmas. Clearly I need to use this stuff! So my ADD kicks in, I leave all the cereal on the floor and drop to the computer to blog... I Google pound cake with sweetened condensed milk and found that the recipes weren't exactly what I wanted. So this upcoming week, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to make a cake with sweetened condensed milk... surely the theory that nothing can be bad if sugar is involved will work in my favor.
Back to the pantry.
Back to the pantry.
Deluxe Cream Cheese Frosting
on |
0
comments
This frosting is slightly softer than a traditional recipe. Extra cream cheese and butter enrich the frosting and give it a little more volume.
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened.
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
Yield 3 1/2 cups
The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, pg. 129
* Sometimes I omit the 3 oz of cream cheese and instead use 1 cup of butter, if I do not have the additional small package on hand (or I don't want to break up an 8oz package.) You still have the cream cheese flavor, but the consistency is not as firm.
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened.
1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
Yield 3 1/2 cups
The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, pg. 129
* Sometimes I omit the 3 oz of cream cheese and instead use 1 cup of butter, if I do not have the additional small package on hand (or I don't want to break up an 8oz package.) You still have the cream cheese flavor, but the consistency is not as firm.
Hummingbird Cake
on |
0
comments
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups chopped bananas
Cream Cheese Frosting (see separate post)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator. Yield 16 servings.
The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, Pg. 104.
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup chopped pecans
2 cups chopped bananas
Cream Cheese Frosting (see separate post)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator. Yield 16 servings.
The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook, Pg. 104.
Spreading God's Love
on |
0
comments
People receive God's love in a number of ways. Some commune with the beach, others the mountains. The way I feel God's presence the most is through music.
I joined the choir at my church about six years ago. A fellow alto encouraged me to attend. I had been in choir when I was little. My parents and I would sing at nursing homes and in my early 20's I performed in little theater. Music has always been apart of my life.
The immediate connection I felt with God upon entering the choir loft was overwhelming. I didn't realize how much I had missed this feeling. Tanya, our Minister of Music, asked me to help with the children's choir and I have enjoyed this activity for the past 5 years. I also joined the ladies hand bell choir.
How does this fit in with cake you ask?
Well, as a McEachern United Methodist Choir member, I will go out on a limb and say that food is an integral part of the choir's ministry. Gathering together with a meal is a common connection that folks from all different backgrounds can relate. People who have never sang a note in their life can relax and come eat with us... Larry makes a SERIOUS multi-layer cake with cheesecake in the middle that is undeniably a gift from God!
This food connection is something that has carried on with friends that I have made in various choirs at McEachern. One day on Face Book I decided to make a cake and post a "real time" scavenger hunt with cake as the prize with the help of my i phone. This was fun! I would read posts of excited friends thinking they were closest to finding the cake.
Tanya, the proud winner later called me to thank me. She had a not so good day, having had to sing at a dear friend's funeral. She told me that she believed my cake was a gift from God, that somehow we were connected by his spirit and my cake scavenger hunt was the plan to lift her spirits. And the cake did that for all involved. The joy I feel when I watch the yellow yolks disappear into the butter and sugar cannot really be described in words. The smell of baking cake is always met with a smile by my children coming home from school. And the knowledge that my cake made someone's sad day brighter, well is simply delicious icing.
So for me cake, music and love all go hand in hand. With God's hand extended for an extra slice.
Cake is love.
I joined the choir at my church about six years ago. A fellow alto encouraged me to attend. I had been in choir when I was little. My parents and I would sing at nursing homes and in my early 20's I performed in little theater. Music has always been apart of my life.
The immediate connection I felt with God upon entering the choir loft was overwhelming. I didn't realize how much I had missed this feeling. Tanya, our Minister of Music, asked me to help with the children's choir and I have enjoyed this activity for the past 5 years. I also joined the ladies hand bell choir.
How does this fit in with cake you ask?
Well, as a McEachern United Methodist Choir member, I will go out on a limb and say that food is an integral part of the choir's ministry. Gathering together with a meal is a common connection that folks from all different backgrounds can relate. People who have never sang a note in their life can relax and come eat with us... Larry makes a SERIOUS multi-layer cake with cheesecake in the middle that is undeniably a gift from God!
This food connection is something that has carried on with friends that I have made in various choirs at McEachern. One day on Face Book I decided to make a cake and post a "real time" scavenger hunt with cake as the prize with the help of my i phone. This was fun! I would read posts of excited friends thinking they were closest to finding the cake.
Tanya, the proud winner later called me to thank me. She had a not so good day, having had to sing at a dear friend's funeral. She told me that she believed my cake was a gift from God, that somehow we were connected by his spirit and my cake scavenger hunt was the plan to lift her spirits. And the cake did that for all involved. The joy I feel when I watch the yellow yolks disappear into the butter and sugar cannot really be described in words. The smell of baking cake is always met with a smile by my children coming home from school. And the knowledge that my cake made someone's sad day brighter, well is simply delicious icing.
So for me cake, music and love all go hand in hand. With God's hand extended for an extra slice.
Cake is love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
