Cake day

Every special occasion in our house begins with a “cake making day.” With so many people cooking, there are also so many interruptions. When smells start their journey down the hall and up the stairs, people start invading the kitchen. Tías always started preparing Thanksgiving food at least three days in advance to accommodate all those interruptions. Usually we not only served our immediate family and extended family members (our family extended beyond the majority) but the usual strays (who were considered relatives), then there were the girlfriends, boyfriends and those who “They were just in the neighborhood.”

Kate (Ben’s fiancée) had been “invited” to help with the cake making. She was as excited about cake making day as any kid she’d ever seen waiting in line for a roller coaster ride. He said it was the first time he had participated in an “event” like this. I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. I never considered cake making day as an “event”, it was more like a “circus”.

Aunt Nelly immediately took me aside and explained that Kate was spoiled because she was the only child in her family before she joined ours. They told me to be courteous and considerate. Most of all, no more laughing at your comments about this “event.” Kate only had two brothers and no sisters. I wondered if she wasn’t lonely before she met us. You can imagine how surprised I was to learn that she found our family a little strange and often disconcerting. They told me that those were his exact words. (This time I held my laughter) I didn’t think anyone would find our family “puzzling.” There was nothing strange about us. Everything was as open as the open air. You could never keep anything a secret in this family. No, there was not much left of what perplexed.

Kate and I were sent to the pantry by Aunt Nelly to find the jars of peaches, apples, squash, and various berries that would be made into cakes for our big Thanksgiving dinner. We made four trips and when we finished packing all those jars we had to sit down and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa before starting the “event” for the day. Aunt Nelly and Aunt Nita joined us. It was decided that Kate would mate with Aunt Nita, and I with Aunt Nelly, and the fun would begin!

We made the pie crusts first. No one could match the perfect pie crust that Aunt Nita made. Even Aunt Nelly acknowledged the fact that Nita’s pie crust recipe was the best to follow. We made 30 pie crusts! (some of these cakes were given to neighbors) I made a new best friend and most of all, we made memories that will last a lifetime!

Here’s Auntie Nita’s Pie Crust Recipe along with Brandied Apple Pie

Aunt Nita’s Pie Crust

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sour cream

1 stick of butter (cooled and cut into small cubes)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

pinch of ground cloves

flour to sprinkle on the work surface to knead

In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, and a pinch of cloves. Mix well. Using a dough cutter or fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it falls apart. Add sour cream and vanilla until a ball forms. Immediately place the dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. DO NOT REMOVE THE GROUND FROM THE REFRIGERATOR UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO ROLL. Sprinkle the work surface with a little flour. Sprinkle the rolling pin with flour. Divide the dough in half and place on a surface dusted with flour. Roll to desired size and thickness. Makes 2 pie shells.

Brandy apple pie

1 large jar of canned apple pie filling (you can use the variety you brought from your favorite store)

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brandy

1/2 stick of butter

2 no-bake cake pans

For apple pie filling in large mixing bowl. Gently fold each ingredient one at a time so you don’t break the apple slices. To mix into a no-bake pie crust. Sprinkle the pie filling with the butter. Place the second layer of the cake on top of the cake and gather the edges around the entire cake. Make a small indentation in the top of the cake. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 40 minutes.

My Aunt Nelly mixed 2 tablespoons of brandy and 1/4 teaspoon. ground cloves with a small tub of Cool Whip. She would put this mixture in the freezer and when she served the apple pie, she would put a dollop of this wonderful frozen concoction on top. DELICIOUS, DELICIOUS, DELICIOUS, YOU WILL HAVE LOVE IN YOUR COAT!