Celebrate with a Piece of Cake

Latina McIntyre

December 4, 2020

Everyone knows that 2020 has not been a piece of cake, but perhaps one thing that could help us all in this difficult time IS a delicious piece of cake.

As the holidays quickly grow near, it’s time to gather with loved ones and bring some cheer. Think about those memorable dishes and traditional recipes you made with your mother, father, sibling, or grandparent. What great moments to remember while creating something that brings comfort and happiness on a particular day!

After a bit of turkey, dressings, ham, salad, or green bean casserole, let’s take a stroll to the dessert table. Just a piece of cake can make any celebration menu a showstopper. We all celebrate with many dishes that are delightful in taste and pretty in sight. Almost every holiday dessert table will have some sort of mouthwatering cake to satisfy your sweet tooth needs.

All around the world people have a special cake that is traditional for a celebration, special occasion, or holiday. Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or another celebrated day, a piece of cake is readily available on the dessert menu.

Let’s take a closer look around the world to see what cakes are on the menu!

In Germany Christstollen is popular during the Christmas holiday season. This cake is made with raisins, a dash of almonds, lots of butter, and other sweet ingredients that are a favorite at any German celebration.

In Italy, the sweet vanilla iced light and fluffy Pandoro cake is the popular way to bring in a celebration around the Christmas holiday. Yummy! I can imagine a slice of that cake.

The delicious French dessert Buche de Noel is the Christmas cake on most French families’ dessert tables during the holiday season. This chocolate and whipped cream rolled cake shaped like a log will definitely fix that sweet tooth need.

The Kransekake is a delightful cake made in the shape of a ring, or sometimes a horn or tower, with a spongy texture in taste. This cake is often the choice of wedding cakes in Norway and Denmark, and is served at other celebrations as well.

The American Fruit Cake is made with many fruits and nuts, suitable for any celebration. The Harvest Carrot Cake with Skillet Fruit is a beautiful sight on any dessert table; this is a carrot pumpkin cake topped with cooked pears, kumquats, cranberries, and other unique ingredients. The Red Velvet Cake is also popular for any occasion.

There are many cakes that we enjoy that speak love at any celebration; the Rum Bundt Cake, Ginger Bread Cake, Butterscotch Marble Cake, and Cranberry Pear Walnut Cake are just a few. What cakes do you prefer for your celebrations? Which cakes brings memories of great moments in your life? Which ones are part of old and new family traditions? No matter the celebration or occasion, a piece of cake can bring everything and everyone together.

Red Velvet Cake Recipe

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 oz red food coloring
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°. For the cake, grease and flour 2 9-inch round cake pans. Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Beat butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, food coloring, and vanilla. Gradually mix in flour mixture on low speed until just blended; do not overbeat. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 35 – 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. While it’s baking, prepare the frosting. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.

Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
16 oz confectioners’ sugar

Beat cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and vanilla in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Fill and frost cooled cake.

Latina McIntyre

Latina McIntyre, a United States Air Force veteran and proud graduate of Bellevue University, is inspired by making a positive impact in our youth’s community and lives. She is a former special education teacher and a civil service administrator. She loves hiking, camping, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Latina McIntyre

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