Disclaimer: I am writing this at two in the morning while at work (yes, as long as my patient is stable and I'm caught up on everything that needs to be done, I can use my computer). So my usual lame humor is likely further impaired due to mush brain.
I've talked about cakes before and my thoughts about why they were likely considered so special. It is my impression though, that not all cakes were of the same status. I think quick breads/cakes were generally not as prized as they tend to be more dense and heavy, like the previously made
scripture cake and
sour milk orange cake. These are unlike
devils food cake, which should be much more light and delicate. As I was making this edition's cake, I was thinking about what circumstances a housewife from 1951 might make pineapple butterscotch cake. As you will see later, it's light-ish, but not to the degree of a devils food cake. It's also not as dense as quick breads/cakes are. But the addition of pineapple rings and cherries are added touches that definitely add to the flavor and appearance of the cake. Ultimately, I have come to the conclusion that this cake may have been made for casual social gatherings, rather than for some fancy to-do. And that is what I made this cake for, a VERY casual social gathering.
Preparation
Here's our recipe.
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| Why didn't I make prune whip cake??? Oh yeah, 'cause I'm not a masochist. |
I prepared to go do some grocery shopping so I could make the cake when I got a text message from Sarah, "I am worried about the unusual ingredients on the grocery list." Come now, Sarah, just because shortening is kind of gross and can be used to make gross things, doesn't mean grossness is predestined.
Now, if you ask me, this looks an awful lot like a pineapple upside-down cake. I recall my grandmother making them now and then and thinking they were pretty great. So though Sarah doesn't have very high hopes, I was cautiously optimistic. But I couldn't help but wonder why it wasn't called an upside-down cake. Was this supposed to somehow be served with pineapples on the bottom? Furthermore, what makes it butterscotch? Maybe the brown sugar on the bottom caramelizes a bit while baking, but to call this butterscotch seems a bit like a stretch. Nevermind all that though. There's cake, and booze comin' down the road!
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| A story of two unlikely friends on an trip they'll never forget. Cakey and Boozy's Big Adventure, coming to a theater near you. |
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| Here we go. |
I had a rather wiggly assistant this day too. Thomas has been my helper for plenty of other recipes, so it was time for James to get in on the game. Here's hoping he won't get too scared off.
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| When you're 7, all the world's a jungle gym. |
