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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Banana Pound Cake Recipe
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Banana Pound Cake
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter,softened
3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Beat shortening and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer about 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
Combine banana, milk and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to shortening mixture alternately with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Pour batter into greased and floured 10-inch tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick insertedin center comes out clean.
Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack. Yield 1 (10-inch) cake.
by Janet Bean
Charlotte, NC
Southern Living, 20th Anniversary Edition Cookbook, pg. 87
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter,softened
3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Beat shortening and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer about 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
Combine banana, milk and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to shortening mixture alternately with banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Pour batter into greased and floured 10-inch tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a wooden pick insertedin center comes out clean.
Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 10 to 15 minutes; remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack. Yield 1 (10-inch) cake.
by Janet Bean
Charlotte, NC
Southern Living, 20th Anniversary Edition Cookbook, pg. 87
Puke Green Spotted Cake
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When I was in sixth grade my parents went away on a mission trip to New York State. Their mission was to teach vacation bible school.
During their trip I stayed with my Grandma, my mom's mom. Grandma was awesome. Known throughout New Liberty Baptist Church and beyond, my Grandma was an excellent cook. I wanted to be like my Grandma.
Grandma would let me do whatever I wanted in the kitchen. Often she would sit on her back porch reading a story, while I made jello, attempted baking or heated up pizza rolls or a pop tart.
My very first cake I made all by myself. Things you need to know before you make your very first cake are:
(a.) sifting powder sugar is VERY important.
(b.) liquid food coloring will spread if not incorporated into your sugar mixture properly.
(c.)brothers can be very mean.
This cake was a mucus green, leaning tower of magnificence with globs of powder sugar balls throughout. Sort of like at your second cousin's wedding(twice removed) your drunk uncle had one too many cups of punch spiked with vodka and puked up a green Swiss dot pattern all over the wedding cake. But no matter... I made this cake all by myself and I was SOOOO PROUD of it! My brother Eric came over to Grandma's and laughed and laughed at my cake. I thought, "well he's wrong... my cake is beautiful..."
Grandma had a bite of my cake and said it was good and that it didn't matter that the sugar was lumpy, sugar can never be bad. Grandma understood. Sugar is God's way of sending the angel's sweet kisses down to earth. Cake is Love.
I had tried so hard to do a good job and show my Grandma that I wanted to be like her. My cake was filled with love and admiration and the desire to be a good cook, just like her. Grandma always encouraged me to keep on trying, and trying again, because she loved me and believed in me.
Grandma had me freeze the cake, to save for later... Eventually, my dog Digger would have a very fat belly from eating the rest of my very first cake.
I have never given up on baking cakes. Sometimes I win a blue ribbon at the state fair for my cakes... Sometimes my cakes fall and I haven't a clue why. But that's okay, because anything with sugar can't be bad...
And when your cake falls you can make a trifle... or have a very happy dog.
During their trip I stayed with my Grandma, my mom's mom. Grandma was awesome. Known throughout New Liberty Baptist Church and beyond, my Grandma was an excellent cook. I wanted to be like my Grandma.
Grandma would let me do whatever I wanted in the kitchen. Often she would sit on her back porch reading a story, while I made jello, attempted baking or heated up pizza rolls or a pop tart.
My very first cake I made all by myself. Things you need to know before you make your very first cake are:
(a.) sifting powder sugar is VERY important.
(b.) liquid food coloring will spread if not incorporated into your sugar mixture properly.
(c.)brothers can be very mean.
This cake was a mucus green, leaning tower of magnificence with globs of powder sugar balls throughout. Sort of like at your second cousin's wedding(twice removed) your drunk uncle had one too many cups of punch spiked with vodka and puked up a green Swiss dot pattern all over the wedding cake. But no matter... I made this cake all by myself and I was SOOOO PROUD of it! My brother Eric came over to Grandma's and laughed and laughed at my cake. I thought, "well he's wrong... my cake is beautiful..."
Grandma had a bite of my cake and said it was good and that it didn't matter that the sugar was lumpy, sugar can never be bad. Grandma understood. Sugar is God's way of sending the angel's sweet kisses down to earth. Cake is Love.
I had tried so hard to do a good job and show my Grandma that I wanted to be like her. My cake was filled with love and admiration and the desire to be a good cook, just like her. Grandma always encouraged me to keep on trying, and trying again, because she loved me and believed in me.
Grandma had me freeze the cake, to save for later... Eventually, my dog Digger would have a very fat belly from eating the rest of my very first cake.
I have never given up on baking cakes. Sometimes I win a blue ribbon at the state fair for my cakes... Sometimes my cakes fall and I haven't a clue why. But that's okay, because anything with sugar can't be bad...
And when your cake falls you can make a trifle... or have a very happy dog.
Need Me Some Butter!!!
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Well... I have ripe bananas... sugar and flour - But no butter!!! So tomorrow I need to run to Costco to fetch my butter. Then I will make a banana pound cake.
Important Note:
Use unsalted butter at room temp for pound cakes.
Buy vanilla extract and butter at Costco to save major $$$.
Don't over stir/beat your batter. This can make your cakes tough.
Always make your cakes with Love.
Important Note:
Use unsalted butter at room temp for pound cakes.
Buy vanilla extract and butter at Costco to save major $$$.
Don't over stir/beat your batter. This can make your cakes tough.
Always make your cakes with Love.
Wedding Cake
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So I've been thinking today... about Wedding Cake. My husband Gary and I eloped. On the day we were married we had yogurt at the shop I worked at... but no cake. How is this possible? I LOVE cake!
So I married the day before my 21st birthday (easy for my hubby to remember both anniversary and birthday, right?). At the time I worked at a pharmacy in Dalton, Frank's Pharmacy. I was on vacation the week I married (we were building our first home) and when I came into the pharmacy to share my newly married self to Frank and his son Bruce and their family I found out to my great surprise that Frank had run out and bought me a cake! With a bell on it and everything!
This is something I have never forgotten. What a sweet gesture to get me a wedding cake. It wasn't fancy, but it tasted as good as any cake I've ever had. I've been thinking about love and thinking about cake and it all makes sense. Cake is and has always been an expression of love for me. My Grandma made us cakes. My mom let me choose my cake for my birthday. Cake is special.
I'm not really "huggy/feely" with folks, except those super close to me. So my new cake mission is me trying to step out and give love. It's pretty easy for me to give cake to my friends and family. I'm sure I will do this on my cake mission. But I hope to step out and give cake to folks I've never met too.
Frank passed away many years ago. And his son Bruce is closing Frank's Pharmacy this month. So I'm thinking about Frank and Bruce. I'm thinking about my wedding cake Frank bought me. And I'm thinking about love.
That's what cake does for you. It brings your mouth joy and your heart love and your brain happy memories of folks you may not have seen in a really long time. Who knew cake could do so much?
Next up - Banana Pound cake...
So I married the day before my 21st birthday (easy for my hubby to remember both anniversary and birthday, right?). At the time I worked at a pharmacy in Dalton, Frank's Pharmacy. I was on vacation the week I married (we were building our first home) and when I came into the pharmacy to share my newly married self to Frank and his son Bruce and their family I found out to my great surprise that Frank had run out and bought me a cake! With a bell on it and everything!
This is something I have never forgotten. What a sweet gesture to get me a wedding cake. It wasn't fancy, but it tasted as good as any cake I've ever had. I've been thinking about love and thinking about cake and it all makes sense. Cake is and has always been an expression of love for me. My Grandma made us cakes. My mom let me choose my cake for my birthday. Cake is special.
I'm not really "huggy/feely" with folks, except those super close to me. So my new cake mission is me trying to step out and give love. It's pretty easy for me to give cake to my friends and family. I'm sure I will do this on my cake mission. But I hope to step out and give cake to folks I've never met too.
Frank passed away many years ago. And his son Bruce is closing Frank's Pharmacy this month. So I'm thinking about Frank and Bruce. I'm thinking about my wedding cake Frank bought me. And I'm thinking about love.
That's what cake does for you. It brings your mouth joy and your heart love and your brain happy memories of folks you may not have seen in a really long time. Who knew cake could do so much?
Next up - Banana Pound cake...
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