Tween Test Kitchen

Yesterday we celebrated Lily's name day on the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks. For several years now we've tried to at least hold to the tradition of feasting on cake for each child's saintly name day. 

Since Lily is entering a cake in the County Fair in a couple weeks, we need to do some test runs. What a perfect time than the present to put on the apron and get to baking.

This was her first cake done completely on her own (I was just in the background for suggestions and some direction) and I can't tell you how proud I am of a job well done. I think she was pretty impressed with herself too. I see many more afternoons in the kitchen together in our future.

The critics of the household all agreed that she did quite well for a first cake. Both taste and presentation were excellent. We may make a variation and perhaps glaze change next week when we do another trial. Then we'll decide how she'll make her final for the Fair presentation. 

Would you like the recipe? 

I believe it's a handed down family recipe from Reed's family. I will also include our variation which was vanilla yogurt and I believe this makes this cake much more moist (and appealing IMHO).  Lily also renamed the cake to show her creative flair for the Fair.

Midnight on The Heath Cake

* 1 1/2 this recipe to make 3 (9 inch) round cakes

2 1/4 cups Flour

1 1/2 cups Sugar

2/3 cup Cocoa

1 1/4 teaspoons Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder

2 Eggs

1 1/4 cup Water

3/4 cup Crisco

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 cup Vanilla Yogurt

Mix all ingredients with electric mixer and pour evenly into greased pan (this single recipe makes a 9 x 13 cake). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven when toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool. 

Filling (for layered cake):

5 oz. Cool Whip

1 cup Heath Toffee Pieces

Mix together in a bowl and divide evenly between layers of the cake when assembling. 

Glaze/Frosting:

1 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

8 Tablespoons Butter

6 Tablespoons Confectioners Powdered Sugar

Put above ingredients in microwave to melt, being watchful not to get too hot or bubbling. Check periodically until ingredients are starting to melt and whisk together checking consistency. Put back in the microwave if needed to get to a smooth consistency thin enough to pour on cake and spread. (Ours was too thick at first, so we added a bit more melted butter) Glaze will become more thick as it sets, so be sure to work quickly if you do not want it to become a thick frosting before you have it all spread out. 

When finished with glaze, sprinkle as many remaining Heath Pieces on top to your desired taste.

Refrigerate cake immediately and keep refrigerated after serving.

If nothing else I think this is a great time (with the Fair as the incentive) for her to spread her wings a bit in the kitchen and for me to let her do it. I remember enjoying baking and cooking in my teen years and helping out in the family kitchen. I can't wait to now share my kitchen space with my oldest daughter.

**Note: I will either revise this post or make a new post of any changes we make leading up to the fair.