Day One of Spring Break = Bake a Cake

We're nearing the end of the boys' first day of Spring Break.  The cloudy, cool, rainy day was the perfect excuse to sleep in, wear pj's until practically after dinner, and lounge around watching cartoons and an episode of Little House on the Prairie that taught us all a lesson about the super uncoolness of bullying behavior...and, once again, that nobody messes with Pa Ingalls. 

I don't know if the boys did this, but I even took in and enjoyed the sounds of the spring rain.  Relaxing.  Peaceful.  We did hear a few claps of thunder, with one whose crash was exceptionally and impressively looonnnnggg & LOUD.  That was really the only least peaceful moment of the day, and the moment that caused the youngest to immediately grab & clutch tightly his giant, stuffed bee (his number one, go-to security item).  Sadly, it happened when lightning struck a home on the west side of town...maybe a mile or two from us.  The couple's home suffered some damage, but they weren't injured.  Thankful for that!  (see story here:  Lightning) 

What should one do, when one hears thunder?  Make Thunder Cake, of course.  I know...I probably took the words right out of your mouth.  Well, I did if you've ever taught grades K-3.  :)  Many elementary teachers know the joy that is the story entitled, Thunder Cake, by Patricia Polacco.  A grandmother calms & distracts her young granddaughter from thunder's scary factor, by giving her a set of ingredient gathering challenges...all in preparation to make/bake Thunder Cake.  Such a cute story!  Read it to the young ones in your life, & you may find you'd like to prepare/sample a piece of the special cake for yourself.

The oldest read the story in school, last week.  So, we thought it would be fun to make during Spring Break...especially because it was supposed to do a little thundering.  Perfect!  And, wow!  It is so tasty!  Chocolately delight!  Moist, rich, & makes enough to share with many.  Our family ate some after dinner.  Then, I sliced off a huge chunk of it for our neighbors, because let's face...I don't need that kind of temptation hanging out on my kitchen counter.  We still have lots left that I'm sure we'll nibble on for the next several days. 

Here's the link for the recipe:  Thunder Cake.  If you read the book, it's also found at the end of the story. 

Thunder Cake!

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together one at a time:
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated
( blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)

1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes

Sift together:
21/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup dry cocoa
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix dry mixture into creamy mixture. Bake in two greased and floured 8
1/2 inch pans at 350 degree for
35 to 40 minutes. Frost with chocolate butter frosting. Top with
strawberries.

ENJOY!!!  

Newest Thunder Cake fan!  He wants it for his birthday...in October.