Cake

[mixfinder]

I have been craving cake and after desperate attempts at making cake using mixes while staying at a friends house, I was hot to bake when I finally got home from the hospital. Something I never do is use a recipe and I am amazed at how laborious it is to read and cook from a recipe. Recipe names are stupid and drive me crazy, a short trip. Here's the picture and why in the world would anyone call this "Tomboy" cake.

 

[mixfinder]

Long Story Short

Its a butter cake using ground almonds in addition to flour with the addition of beaten egg whites. The cake shows three layers and the recipe directs using 4. I used three.

 

[mixfinder]

Even Steven

I used a scale to be sure each pan had the same amount of batter. These are Corning Cornflower cake pans. I have two and have been looking solidly for the 3rd. (When I was putting them away one of the corn flower cake pans hit the floor) Must be the sign to go back to aluminum 9 inch pans.

 

[mixfinder]

Step 2

The cake has an apricot spread with a lemon curd filling. I'm liking all these steps. Curd is cooked in a double boiler.

 

[mixfinder]

Yippee Two Appliances

The warm curd is put in the blender while cold butter is added making the curd ready to use without cooling.

 

[mixfinder]

But Wait There's More

Whipped cream is folded into the curd and layered over the apricot spread as you stack the layers. I found aseptic pack whipping cream at Trader Joe's. Its .99 cents a cup, has unlimited shelf life, whips very stable and is great to be sure you never run out of whipping cream. I buy it by the case and keep it in the garage fridge so its ready to go at a moment's notice.

 

[frigilux]

That cake looks great, Kelly. Good choice! With the exception of some yeast breads, there's no way I could bake without a recipe. Glad to see you are back in the kitchen, your natural habitat.

 

[mixfinder]

The Grand Finally

The cake is then topped with meringue icing. Instead of water in the sugar syrup I used lemon juice which keeps the meringue soft and never sticky. Not wanting the edges of the cake to dry I frosted the sides as well.

 

[mixfinder]

In The End

It was good, company raved, but it was too confused and too sweet for my taste. Last night I made a custard pie for dessert and finally I have something that tasted good.

 

[xraytech]

The cake looks great Kelly, as do the pies

What I really love are the cornflower cake pans, never knew they made them, now I must search for some,

 

[gfm8959]

Kelly it was so good to see one of your baking projects again-- I really have missed them! I've also discovered the TJ's heavy cream and it really is great to have on hand. I have used it for ganache and homemade ice cream. Keep the pics coming!

 

[norgeway]

I love that cream too

Trader Joes is great, Great seeing you cook again,glad you are feeling better!

 

[retropia]

Those look amazing! I liked your line "desperate attempts at making cakes using mixes," LOL - it made me think it could be a new type of reality TV show, "Desperate Bakers."

"On today's episode of Desperate Bakers, teams scheme to create a dessert using a box of graham crackers, a tub of Cool Whip, and a package of Lime Jell-O. What will the judges have to say?"

I admit to using cake mixes, because my attempts at making cakes from scratch have been unsatisfactory. However, I do make all of my icings from scratch. I've never attempted meringue.

 

[mixfinder]

Abort Mission

I had 5 good days in Missouri and we went to a petting farm and u-pick fruit attraction. We picked the equivalent of a gallon of berries. I about fell out of my shoes when the clerk told me the berries were $51.87. The infectious disease doctor has wondered if this is where I got the original bacterial infection. We has the neighbors for dinner. Turkey on the Weber.

 

[mixfinder]

Dark Shadows

Sara and Mike have a nice home but it is dark. I had never seen cabinets like these. They are stained dark but the wood is rough hewn and then topped with a shiny finish which accentuates the imperfections

 

[mixfinder]

Money Money

I promised to help Audrey make a baked sale to raise money for a dog. It was at the height of feeling bad, but I wasn't going to disappoint her. She made $197.00 and the dog hunt will begin in earnest after school starts and life settles down. We made Cinnamon Rolls, Black Bottom Cupcakes, Hand Pies with Caramel sauce, Whoopie pies, Drop Doughnuts, Raised Potato doughnuts, Cookies and offered coffee free. I'm very glad I finished it and didn't wait another day.

 

[mickeyd]

Tomboy, I'm with you on that. Overkill.

The pies are divine. Looks like blueberry or black raspberry oozing. Nothing better for end of summer. I was surprised you didn't Kellify the entire recipe your own way, like your trick of using lemon instead of water to keep the meringue soft.

But you're after my heart with the unseen and hopefully eaten totally by you custard pie. Gram always made them, topped with a layer of nutmeg. How I'd love a piece.
Ain't nothin' like Custard Pie. What memories. Thank You.

 

[mattl]

Great to see you baking again.

 

Tell me more about the frosting.  Actually please post the recipe, always on the lookout for something unique and you always seem to come up with it.  Never thought of using lemon juice in a meringue frosting, is the taste strong or subtle?

 

Had a little get together Sunday, and I was talking up your pie crusts.  One of my cousins said he had made 5 different pie crusts last week trying to find one he likes, and while his was quite good, he made a blueberry pie, from my experience your recipe is better.  Only crust I make now --thank you.  I made my chocolate cookie icebox cake, it's been my go to recipe for the summer, and it was good too.

 

I think being back home in your kitchen cooking and baking is some of the best medicine for you.  Keep it up - along with those platelet  cells.

 

[appnut]

YAY. I have tears in my eyes!!!

 

[mixfinder]

Gift of Time

I'd love to get strong enough to host a week long "Grandma Cooks" and have those who love celebrating vintage foods and the traditions of our mom's and grandma's dishes. I can sleep 10 people on beds before going to the couch or floor. Its been a dream when I see the food of Norgeway, Dynaflow, Matt, Mickey, Eugene, Jacque and Andy, Appliance nut and anyone one else who wanted to come. I can't foray into the public arena but there are two cars which could be used to see Seattle, Vancouver, the Indian heritage of this state, junking and skiing if its after November. Think about it guys.

 

[mixfinder]

Finally, and Exit Route

My daughter in law teaches health, PE and a science class at her school as well as coaching all women's sports at Kittitas High School. Josie and I baked for each meal period and have scones, cookies and banana bread that surely none of us need. Judy said she buys snacks for the kids who don't have breakfast or are out gas by afternoon practice. I can finally bake to heart's content and send it out the door. I am really looking forward to the next few months while they stay with me.

 

[polkanut]

In this household we like our doughnuts "raised & glazed".  I could sure go for a hot and fresh one right now.  Sounds heavenly. 

 

[dynaflow]

Kelly

Im ready for a cook in just let me know

 

[franksdad]

Wow!

I need a shot of insulin just looking at your treats!  You are an amazing baker!  I also never knew Corning Wear make cake pans.  So sorry you broke one.

 

[oldskool]

Cake & Pies

Wow!  Everything looks terrific.

 

For some of us, who rely on a recipe (for most things baked), I am blown away!  We are simply doomed to a life of many short trips to crazy, as we toil through our "laborious" reading, measuring, and cooking, with the hopes that something turns our right.  LOL  Too funny!  My trips to crazy (which are too numerous to count), would only be increased if the recipe was taken from me for most baking projects. 

 

Please, when sure you're feeling up to it, set a date for the "Grandma Cooks" so I can buy my ticket, set my calendar and fly away!

 

So good to see you back baking and posting!

 

John

 

[bajaespuma]

Kelly,

 

I loved this thread. Happy you are home from the hospital and happy you are baking. I enjoy baking therapy a lot myself except, when I bake at home rather than at work, I find the endless cleanup massive compared to my usual domestic mess. Last night I made apple strudel and my kitchen floor is still slippery from the butter I sprayed over the dough.

 

I too am a huge fan of Trader Joe's because of products like that UHT whipping cream. I keep a supply on hand because my only complaint about Trader Joe's is that you can get hooked on one of their products and they have no problem with then discontinuing that product without notice. They did that to me with their Hoisin Sauce, which was by far the best Hoisin Sauce I have ever used--made the traditional way with sweet potatoes instead of just red beans.

 

I wish they'd market a UHT half & half; that would be very welcome in my house.

 

 

[kevin313]

Kelly,
Thank you for sharing all of your incredible baking adventures with us! It makes me feel very good to know that you are at home and in your kitchen creating these wonderful baked delights that are as much filled with love as they are with talent. I hope all this baking means that you continue to feel better - you remain in my thoughts and prayers!

A cooking retreat with you would be a blast - what fun that would be!

 

[mixfinder]

My Heart is Thumping

How wonderful it would be to have the cookers surrounding the island and testing the tensile strength of button holes as we gorge ourselves. There isn't a shower on the main, but a large guest bath. If we needed to for those with stair challenges we can shower at the pool in town. I have a sofa, a full size click clack and a blow up twin mattress. In the city we have two queen size air beds. The master has a king size (3 if you like each other) and a sofa. Guest room has a queen size sleigh bed and the third room has two cribs and full size wool bed. There is a large guest bath on the upper floor and a great walk in shower in the Master. I do really well with utter confusion and chaos. Kyler and Judy will be here until November when they move into the new house. That means after Christmas for our sleep over. Flying into Seattle is the best option. Its 2 hours if the road is open. I live in the mountains so there are two passes to cross to get her. I can play taxi driver I just can't enter an area I don't control for germ and bacteria warfare. There is also a shuttle that brings you to Ellensburg for $37.00. Once here we are just minutes from snow shoeing, cross country skiing, down hill skiing and lots of sitting inside to watch the pillowy snow. I strongly suggest travel insurance since I'm not very dependable even though I want to be. Sometime flights are delayed due to weather. Spokane, Pendleton or the Tri Cities are an option but Spokane is an extra 50 miles and only certain air lines fly into the Tri Cities. Pendleton is a historic cowboy town and home to the Pendleton Round Up as well as Pendleton Woolen Mills. My feeling is that if you can get her I'm happy to cover food once you arrive. We can always wait till after the spring that when its 50 one day and 10 below the next. We're legend for Chinook Winds. If you like Casinos they abound. I just want to be together, love and hug on each other and have the most laid back time ever. I understand time constraints for those who work. We'll make the planned events a week long and you're more than welcomed to stay two weeks and see the Ocean, Seattle, Vancouver and anything else that flips your trigger. I cannot wait.
Love and hugs
Kelly

A parting shot of the Versatronic range of the 70.[this post was last edited: 9/4/2013-09:08]

 

[mixfinder]

My Heart is Thumping

How wonderful it would be to have the cookers surrounding the island and testing the tensile strength of button holes as we gorge ourselves. There isn't a shower on the main, but a large guest bath. If we needed to for those with stair challenges we can shower at the pool in town. I have a sofa, a full size click clack and a blow up twin mattress. In the city we have two queen size air beds. The master has a king size (3 if you like each other) and a sofa. Guest room has a queen size sleigh bed and the third room has two cribs and full size wool bed. There is a large guest bath on the upper floor and a great walk in shower in the Master. I do really well with utter confusion and chaos. Kyler and Judy will be here until November when they move into the new house. That means after Christmas for our sleep over. Flying into Seattle is the best option. Its 2 hours if the road is open. I live in the mountains so there are two passes to cross to get her. I can play taxi driver I just can't enter an area I don't control for germ and bacteria warfare. There is also a shuttle that brings you to Ellensburg for $37.00. Once here we are just minutes from snow shoeing, cross country skiing, down hill skiing and lots of sitting inside to watch the pillowy snow. I strongly suggest travel insurance since I'm not very dependable even though I want to be. Sometime flights are delayed due to weather. Spokane, Pendleton or the Tri Cities are an option but Spokane is an extra 50 miles and only certain air lines fly into the Tri Cities. Pendleton is a historic cowboy town and home to the Pendleton Round Up as well as Pendleton Woolen Mills. My feeling is that if you can get her I'm happy to cover food once you arrive. We can always wait till after the spring that when its 50 one day and 10 below the next. We're legend for Chinook Winds. If you like Casinos they abound. I just want to be together, love and hug on each other and have the most laid back time ever. I understand time constraints for those who work. We'll make the planned events a week long and you're more than welcomed to stay two weeks and see the Ocean, Seattle, Vancouver and anything else that flips your trigger. I cannot wait.Love and hugs
Kelly

 

[mixfinder]

Good Sleuth Work

Bob, a.k.a. bobload forwarded two pans for sale. One was a fraction of the $59.00 offered up at ebay for $14.99 and the other was at esty for $19.00. Both are on the way so now we can make Corning Ware monuments. I am throwing away the buffet sever and its clumsy lid which took down my Corn Flower cake pan.
Thanks Bob, you're amazing.
Off the Seattle and the next great hop. Pray me through guys, I am a little frazzled to wake this morning and see my cuticles seeping.
Kelly