I raised a baking heathen

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I often let my now 21, almost 22-year-old, cook whatever they want, however they want. I have tried to explain over and over that baking is not the same as cooking. It's okay to fly by the seat of your pants when you're making something that goes on the grill.

Friday, I gave them the recipe for a cake, assuming they would follow it step by step. Nope! Sigh.

Threw it all together in one bow, mixed it all up one time. And then wondered why it was a flat cake when they were done. 🙄

Today, I showed them how different the cake was when you cream together the fat and sugar, before you even start putting dry ingredients in.

Do you think it sunk in? I bet not!!! Kids.

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Comments (9)

plllog
5 years ago
Rob, there's a good chance they'll remember just because of the strong emotion of failure. Like how you might not remember anything from a high school class except the answer you messed up on the final. They might not remember cream the butter and sugar until the color lightens, and get the cake in the oven before the BP discharges, but at least they might remember to read the recipe or ask you. ;). There's always hope at least..,
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
That's a shame - was the cake salvageable? Edible?

I use Betty Crocker one bowl cake recipes where you just put everything in a bowl at once and mix. They always turn out great. Maybe you could try giving them one of those kind next time?
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annie1992
5 years ago
I agree, the failure will stay with them where a success might not.

Besides, since when do young adults listen to their Mother, especially at that age? We only get smarter as they get older, LOL.

Annie
sweet_betsy No AL Z7
5 years ago
I first started reading about LF on the Garden Party when he was a mere babe. Give him time--I know he will be a great cook.
Jasdip
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sounds like a Dump Cake would be more to their liking :-D As long as they don't mix it, it has to be sprinkled on top of the peaches and then pressed in.
Lars
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I started making cakes when I was 7 or 8 years old, and I do remember separating the eggs and whipping the egg whites to make a chiffon cake, which was one of my favorites. I thought that beating egg whites was fun as a child because they seemed to change magically.

My mother had one huge dark green cookbook (from the 1940s - don't remember the name), and I loved reading it, but I also went to 4-H meetings that had cooking demonstrations.

OTOH, my brothers did not cook, and my sister to this day does not like to cook, but she did make an effort as a child, unfortunately for me.
CA Kate z9
5 years ago
I have a fudge cake recipe that has been the family favorite for over 50 years. Youngest daughter (then age 16) decided to make make it on her own; threw everything in the bowl, mixed and baked. Much to my great surprise it came out perfect. Never did figure out how or why. 🤔 😄
bbstx
5 years ago
I can’t tell you how often I’ve had this same conversation with my ADULT daughter. She knows my mantra “baking is science!” Nevertheless, if she thinks a recipe is “unhealthy” she’ll make some random substitution and bake up a batch of hockey pucks! Most of the family knows to stay away from her baked goods. And failure is no teacher for this kiddo!
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
@ CA Kate - that's what I think the food scientists at Betty Crocker figured out many years ago. They created a number of one bowl cakes that don't call for creaming, sifting, or folding anything and they always turn out delicious.

It's funny I don't see most of their old recipes I use on the Betty Crocker website. Nowadays they have mostly bundt cakes that are one bowl recipes. My cookbook is from the 60s and is pretty well-used.

https://www.bettycrocker.com/menus-holidays-parties/mhplibrary/everyday-meals/one-bowl-cakes

Here's a classic they still have tho:

https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/best-chocolate-cake-with-fudge-frosting/ee6153e7-dd8c-47ae-bd88-8fc70ce57a24

I raised a baking heathen

Comments (9)

plllog

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

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annie1992

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