Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-12-20
Baking a Cake.
D. -
+. S.
Class l6'

Mother always makes the Christmas
fruit cake early in November.
AS it was just about that time when
was at home last, and as / am now a
member Of the Domestic Science De-
partment of the st. Joseph High School,
she thought to do me honor, and along
with it give little home training, too,
by letting me make this cake.
was very much overcome by the sense
of responsibility, even if am Domestic
Science pupil, have been for such q
short time. As we are beginners, our
teacher thinks we are only worthy of
being taught to fry eggs in hot grease in
frying pan, and you know making
F, fruit cake is little more difficult task.
put on bold front and great ging-
ham apron, and bravely began. All the
morning was spent in picking out nuts
two full pounds, seeding as much in
weight OF raisins, washing three pounds
of cyrrants and slicing sixteen ounces of
citron. When these were prepared put
the ingredients into mixing bowl, dust
ed them well with flour, and set all aside
until after dinner, when / should be
ready TO begin again.
After rest and refreshment, went to
work The recipe said the -four must
be Drowned, and as was following d.
Rection closely, l proposed to do it. l
wanted to use to advantage all Of my
time, so, while the -four was burning, /
began to crack and whip the eggs. This
was terrible task. There were twelve
eggs, and the whites and yolks had to
be separated. In spite of all my care the
yolks would slip into the dish with the
whites. At last they were all straight,
and began beating them, when alasl
detected the odor OF burnt -four. dropped
the egg heater in dismay, ran quickly to
the stove and threw open the oven door.
Instead of the delicately Drowned -four
that the recipe called for, a pound of
black dust greeted my eyesl
Imagine, if you can, my distress and
my screams for mother to the rescue.
She came, Gained my fears, cooled the
oven, suggested that get another pound
of -four and begin all over again. This
time resolved to pay strict attention to
only one thing at time, so the flour
Drowned to beautiful tint, and took
it out Of the oven, added nutmeg, CHINA
mon, cloves and sllspice, generous por-
ton of each.
The fruit and spices were added when
a pound Of sugar and one of butter had
been blended into creamy mass. The
nuts and glass of brandy, teaspoonful
OF lemon and vanilla extract each, were
followed by foamy mass of soda and
vinegar, beaten vigorously. Into the pans
went buttered paper and then the batter,
to the making of which all climates and
countries had contributed a share.
With few mistakes, after hard days
work, and with sigh Of relief, l closed
the oven door, and departed for the
house where could talk to the family
instead of reading cook books. re-
turned at intervals during the four hour
process of baking. At the end of that
time, after much anxiety and careful
watching, / took from the stove a cake
that would have done credit to the chef
of Her Majesty the Queen. fitting nv
treasure at an angle for cooling, left
my Christmas cake on the table and
closed the pantry door. When returned
in the morning not vestige, nor crumb.
was there. 1t was food fit for the gods.
but l doubt they stole it away. rubbed
my eyes and racked my brain to discover
If this experience had been dream. 1t
was all 50 real and my success such a
matter OF pride to me that / am loath to
believe the cake dream cake, product
of my fancy.