Diary of a Kentucky Cook

Don't forget what is truly important, the simple and basic things in Life. Honesty, Pure Emotions, Gardening, Cooking, the Joy of Creating and sharing Recipes and to be blessed by the majestic beauty of Nature. Once you find out what makes you happy, try to do THAT for a living.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

ARE YOU JUST NUTTY FOR COCONUT CAKE

Do you like coconut ?
I remember my mother baking coconut cakes. My Mother had 2 signature desserts, whenever a dessert was needed at school or church, my Mom was asked to bring Coconut Cake or her Banana Pudding with vanilla wafers. The cakes were basic regular yellow or white, always round, 2 layer cakes. We didn't have white cakes very often, Mom felt like it was wasteful to not use the whole egg. She made plain white frosting from confectioners sugar, milk and vanilla and turned the cake into a specialty dessert by adding an over abundance of Coconut. When she made icing for coconut cake she would make it a little thinner so the coconut would easily adhere to the cake. As a child, I remember grocery shopping in A & P and Winn Dixie and looking for her special can of shredded coconut. Her coconut cakes were
well,
Pretty.

I think it is kind of sad that we don't hear the term Pretty, very often or any more, when speaking of home made desserts. Even if they are made with mixes and boxes or bought at a store deli, I believe in doing what you can to make it 'Pretty'.

I enjoy cooking simply, making easy to fix, tasty, attractive and budget-concious meals & desserts. I stick to the basics. I believe that is why I enjoy cooking. I said c o o k i n g , not doing the dishes, after. I made a chocolate bundt coffee cake the other day and wanted to drizzle a white chocolate glaze on top before adding sifted powdered sugar on top. When I drizzle glaze I use either a Large tined fork or put the glaze in a baggie fold it down to one corner, gently getting the air out, then I snip a small portion of the corner off with scissors and it works just as well as a pastry bag. If we ever get ahead financially, I would like to own and honest to goodness- real pastry bad with all of the tips and tricks and all, but for now, I make do. Simply.

Here is a pic of an Old Fashioned Coconut Cake,
I made just like my mom used to make.
The only difference is the coconut.
My honey likes the "Mounds" brand coconut flakes instead of angel flake.



Nothing fancy, just pretty...

Image hosted by Photobucket.com


Doesn't it look like it should be on its way to a church social
or perhaps an elementary school cake walk?


~Happy New Year's Eve !!!



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