A.K.A Grandpa & Grandma
When we were first married, my DH would speak of his grandma’s stack cake recipe with great fondness. Grandmas are famous for being awesome cooks. What I failed to realize when I was younger is to reach this sort of stature requires years to do. This is why grandmas are terrific in the kitchen and not newly married brides.
I met my DH’s grandma while she was in her mid-80s. Despite her ability to get around for her age and continued tinkering in the kitchen, her best years for producing mouth-watering kitchen favorites were in the past. My mother-in-law picked up making Grandma’s stack cake recipe for the holidays, though. It was a real treat. When the holidays were long gone and we wanted more of this yummy treat we found the closest thing to Grandma’s was Apple Barn & Cider Mill’s fresh-baked stack cake in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.
I always wanted to make Grandma’s recipe, but the idea to attempt it intiminated me. The mere thought of making a delicate, multi-layer cake caused a huge exclamation mark to pop in my mind with a “No-way, am I going to try it!” attitude.
In 2007 for the holiday season, I decided to dismiss my fears once and for all and finally took a stab at grandma’s recipe. For goodness sake, I was only working in the kitchen. It wasn’t like I was performing brain surgery or anything. There was no reason for dread. It’s only a recipe. The worse thing that could happen is I flub the job.
In the end, I discovered I actually enjoyed making Grandma’s stack cake. It wasn’t a daunting process, as I had feared. In fact, the layers reminded me of making a large gingerbread cookie and they weren’t difficult at all. The thrilling part of it all was the pleasant surprise when my DH announced, “Mmm, this is almost as good as I remember Grandma’s!” What a huge compliment! Ever since then, I try to make Grandma’s stack cake recipe as a part of our holiday tradition.
With that being said, I’ve been busy cooking and baking. This is a seasons of “thanks” and “giving”, I would like to say, Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. In honor of a woman who was special to not only us, but many locals who also called her grandma, I would like to give to you…
Next week, will be Thanksgiving and I won’t be participating in anything computer related. Let me extend to each of you a blessed celebration with those you love. Remember, to reflect on the bounty God has given you – big or small, as you come together. We are so privileged compared to many elsewhere in the world. May the Lord watch over you this holiday season!
One more thing, I bought two American Kitchen stainless steel pans from Amazon recently. They are nice, USA made pans! The fruit I use always is generous amounts of apple butter between the layers. It’s delicious, too. Enjoy!!!
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