Carl's White Cake |
| (originally a guest post on Bookingmama.blogspot.com) |
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When I was writing The School of Essential Ingredients, my idea was to pair each character with a food that would help them - evoke a memory, spur a life change, heal a sorrow. Sometimes this match was obvious, easy, but for a long time I didn’t know what Carl’s food should be. I tried bread, omelettes, salt – nothing quite fit. And then I thought of cake and I heard the click, the sound in your head that lets you know you have put just the right pieces together in a work of fiction. The only problem was that at the time I could have easily won a prize as the worst cake baker in the world. In that regard, Helen and I were soul-mates. I have a sister-in-law who makes extraordinary cakes – lofty, light, sculptural in their decoration – but mine were more like those scrawled cards a toddler gives you, full of love but cringe-worthy in production. But Carl needed a cake – and a white one at that, when everyone in my family is a chocolate fanatic – so I had to figure it out. In the process I learned chemistry and patience and magic. And if I may say so, this cake is delicious. Even the chocolate lovers agreed. I’m including the recipe below, but Lillian wants to make sure I say that you should mess with it. If you are in a book club, consider trying this for your next get-together.... Carl’s White Cake Recipe 2 2/3 cups sifted cake flour Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 3 8" cake pans. Frosting: Beat butter until soft. Add sugar gradually, along with vanilla and milk/whipping cream. |