Father Knows Best – “You Gotta Have Dessert!”

Laywerboy and I met in January of 2000. We have been a part of each others daily lives since. The constant people in my life besides Lawyerboy are my parents and siblings. I’d like to give you a snippet of them, along with a recipe that my mom makes that reminds me of them. I will start with my dad.

Last week was his birthday. In most cases, I am more like my mom than my dad. My dad is a private person, so I do get that from him, along with a few other qualities. He has also taught me many skills and most importantly, how to be safe.

My dad is so meticulous and careful when he does things. He wants to ensure that no one gets hurt and everything around him has a place and needs to be set, ‘so so.’ He is the safest and most careful person I know. His voice is always in the back of my head reminding me to not let the gas tank get less than a quarter full, to check the tires, to turn off the power on any electrical tool when you want to check something on it, to turn off the lights when you aren’t in a room, to make sure doors are shut tightly, and on and on.

I have overheard him tell others some things about me when I don’t think he knew I could hear him and I remember feeling happy that I impressed him. Now he would probably say “Ah” and that he doesn’t remember saying that because he doesn’t want to hurt my siblings feelings. (They too have wonderful qualities he is proud of!) The two things I remember clearly when I was younger were: 1.) I was in the living room and he was in our entry way on the phone and I heard him telling his friend that I was his hardest worker. 2.) I was hiding in our yard a little ways away from my dad when he was talking to one of his brothers about hunting. He said the I have the steadiest aim when holding my rifle. That of course has been proven and disproven many times!!

My dad has also taught me many things such as how to ride horses, to love animals (Even though people don’t think I love animals! I just don’t like animals in the house or near food!), how to drive, how to clean windows on machinery (No streaks allowed!), to be generous, helpful, honest, to pay my bills on time, to be a good tipper, how to shoot a bow and arrow and a rifle, and how to not only hunt, but do it.

Hunting deer is my favorite activity to do with my dad. Some of my best childhood and adult memories are with my brother Andrew, sister Micky, and our dad out hunting. We hear the same stories each year and it never gets old! My dad also uses the same expressions which makes us giggle. He sometimes laughs at what he says, but usually he is looking at us and trying to figure out why what he said is so funny to us! It is heartwarming.

To this day, I have yet to buy a gun, box of bullets, or binoculars. My dad supplies it all! Just this last year was the first year I bought myself new Sorel boots for hunting. My dad has always offered to buy them. This is something I am sure any dad does, but his generosity is continuous and it makes me feel special.

I’ll share some of our hunting stories to come. For now, I will share a birthday cake recipe in honor of my dad. For there is another thing he has taught me that I still do to this day! Whether we were in the field, out hunting, or at home, “You gotta have dessert!” And we always did, and still do! My father has taught me well.

Devil’s Food Cake

Preheat Oven to 360 degrees – Prep Time: 20 minutes – Bake Time: 30 minutes – Makes a whole cake

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 squares bittersweet chocolate, melted

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups flour

2/3 cup cold water

Beat the eggs and sugar together. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 99 seconds. Add the melted chocolate to the mixture and mix. Next, add the sour cream and vanilla and beat together. Add the baking soda and flour. Start the mixer slowly and continue to increase the speed to mix in well. Last, add the cold water and mix thoroughly. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 9×13 cake pan or  2 well-greased 9″  round cake pans. Bake for 30 minutes at 360 degrees. For either type of cake pan, it takes exactly 30 minutes. Test with a toothpick to be sure because all ovens are different!

If using 2 round cake pans, let the cakes cool in the pans before attempting to take them out. I let them cool for 45 minutes to an hour or until I can handle the pans without pot holders. Lay out a dish towel and place wax paper on top. You may also use cooling racks. Let them to continue to cool while you make the frosting.

You can frost this cake with any frosting you like. I made Coconut Pecan Frosting. It reminds me of my dad.

Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 egg

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

2/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1 1/4 cup coconut

Beat the egg in a saucepan. Add the sweetened condensed milk, sugar, butter, and salt. Heat over medium heat until it bubbles. Stir continuously. (My mom uses a wooden spoon. Therefore, I do and I believe it works best.) It takes 12 minutes. When it bubbles, remove from heat and mix in the pecans. Then add the coconut and mix well. Let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes. Then begin to frost your cake.

This frosting can be tricky. Don’t let it cool too long or it isn’t a good spreading consistency. If you’re frosting a layered cake and do it while it is still too warm, the frosting will drip down the sides and not stick. If that happens, take your off-set spatula or table knife and start at the bottom and work the frosting back up the sides.

I am not a big pecan fan, but this frosting needs it to balance out all the sweet! You may omit it if you wish and add more coconut. Enjoy.