Mentoring, Leadership, & Homemaking
Spring has officially arrived for me with the making of coconut cake. Homemade from scratch coconut cake is a Southern classic that compares to no other dessert. Secret recipes for coconut cake within families are as tightly held as the recipe for perfect fried pies (a post for another day). Today’s recipe is not the typical seven-layer cake, it’s an updated sheet cake version my Mom, Grandmother, every aunt, and most of the church ladies growing up made. Easier, faster, {Read More}
For my daughter’s birthday I tried my hand at cake pops. They were a fun challenge for someone who is not gifted with cake decorating skills. The cake part was easy, the chocolate coating processing was a challenge. I never did figure out how to make the coating smooth and seamless. (Suggestions?) On a good note, it did not affect the taste of the chocolate one bit! This recipe made enough for the party with leftovers going back into the {Read More}
When I tasted these delicious petit fours at my sister’s baby shower, I knew I had to make them for my family’s Christmas celebration. Although mine did not look as perfect as the ones I had eaten at the shower, they were every bit as yummy. These decadent treats are well worth the extra time and effort they take to make. I owe a debt of gratitude to Kaaren Rue for giving me this fantastic recipe which will now be {Read More}
Years ago, Sister Hulene brought a mouth-watering pound cake to a church fellowship. I could not believe it when she said the secret was using pecan frosting in the mix! Let me tell you, this is the simplest and most delicious pound cake. The pecans and coconut from the frosting make it taste like it took a lot more work than emptying a frosting container. It’s even better the second day–if it lasts that long. Pecan-Coconut Pound Cake Hulene Smith {Read More}
This recipe was one of my mom’s favorites. I don’t recall it ever having a proper name so I have decided to call it Summer Dream Cake. It’s easy, peasy and still perfect right now with early fall weather. 1 large Angel food Cake 2 envelopes of Kraft Dream Whip topping 4 Crispy Crunch chocolate bars (Heath or Twix bars work too) ~ Split the angel food cake in half, creating two layers… ~ Crush the chocolate bars (fun). I use a {Read More}
This fancy, delicious cake isn’t too complicated, in spite of requiring several steps. My oldest son won a blue ribbon with it at the county fair when he was in 5th grade, and we often serve it for birthdays in our home. Having lived in Europe for several years, I can honestly say this cake is fairly authentic, and well worth that extra little bit of time and trouble. Ingredients: Cake: German chocolate cake mix (prepared according to box directions) {Read More}
For his sixth birthday party last weekend my youngest requested chocolate cupcakes with white icing. My mother was the baker and happily obliged. That is until we had a mini-crisis–she could not find her special buttercream icing recipe. Only an hour from party time, Mother pulled out an icing recipe from days gone by…7 Minute Icing. It’s in most country cookbooks for a reason–it’s simple, fast, and yummy! 7 Minute Icing Wilma Kitchens 2 egg whites, 1 and 1/2 cups {Read More}
This is one of my favorite recipes for a potluck dessert. It can be adapted from Triple Chocolate to Lemon Blueberry to White Chocolate Strawberry just by changing the cake mix, pudding mix and add-on flavors. The cake in the photo is the coconut version. Here’s the basic recipe: Ingredients: 1 boxed cake mix 4 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup water 1 package instant pudding 1 cup chosen add-on ingredient (white or chocolate chips, blueberries, {Read More}
I love making ice cream cakes in the summer. My family loves eating them so much that they now ask for them all year long, as it has become their preferred birthday cake. And it couldn’t be easier to put one together! Don’t be alarmed by the fact that there are several steps; each step takes just a minute or two and the results are well worth it! Ingredients and supplies: 3 flavors of ice cream Prepared cake (optional) Saran {Read More}
We all need good mentors offering practical advise, wisdom, encouragement, and friendship. Here at MMCW you will find a storehouse of mentoring between generations, just as it should be.
