In the Kitchen with Bessie's Granddaughter : 2015

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Weak in the Knees Wednesday Daddy's Birthday Cake

I have got to tell you about my daddy's birthday cake! As I mentioned last week, I catered my auntie's family event which included my Auntie P and my daddy's birthday. My plan was to surprise my daddy with his favorite cake and present it to him. I found out earlier in the week what his favorite cake is and put my plan into action.

Friday was the day I set out to bake all the baked goods while waiting til Saturday to make the cold items such as fillings which uses milk and frosting due to my having to travel 3 hours to get to church. I was on a roll baking but I noticed that the chocolate cake mix was a little off but I thought to myself, "Well maybe it's just me. Let me bake it to see how it turns out." I did and it didn't...didn't turn out right. It was a long day and I just didn't have the time nor the energy to bake another delicious "Chocolate Sensation" cake so I decided to make it when I arrive to my aunt's house the next day.

My children and I arrived at Auntie P's house in the afternoon. Once we got back from getting something to eat (because our family loooovvveeesss to eat), I started on the chocolate cake. She didn't have cake pans and out of all things I forgot at home was the cake pan needed to make my daddy's birthday cake. I ended up having to use her bundt pan for it which means my decorations will be different. The cake turned out good this time. However, I had a little trouble getting it out of the pan. Ninety percent of the cake came out fine but there was one side that had a chunk gone. I carefully slid both sides of the end of the cake still stuck in the pan out. I put some frosting on the part that was out of the pan to use as a glue to hold the two pieces of torn cake together. Both of my auntie's were amazed lol. Then there was another problem. The cake was too soft and too broken to ice it the way that I wanted to so I took my 2D tip, put the frosting in the pastry bag and began piping. It came out pretty good. Then I drizzled some Hershey's Chocolate Syrup across it to bring out the piping.

I tell you this cake caused me trouble from the beginning and all I wanted to do was surprise my daddy. Transporting the cake was another problem. Nevertheless, we got it there. The family event went on as scheduled. I set up the table and waited for the people to come downstairs. I helped my cousin to serve the food. My daddy came downstairs and the serving line slowed down so I figured this would be the perfect time to present my daddy his birthday cake. As I walked towards the table, my eyes flew wide open and I went into shock! The cake had all but two slices of cake left! They mauled it! I rushed over and got the last two pieces that were left and put it in a to-go box for my daddy. I walked over to him in embarrassment and explained what happened but this was for him. If you could have seen the look on my daddy's face...speechless. He looked at me as if to say, "What is this mess!" But he took it anyhow.

My face when I saw the cake

The good thing about all of this is they loved the cake and even called my Auntie E to find out more information about it. The weekend was great and even more greater to see my daddy.


I wish the cake that was left looked this pretty lol.	I wanted you all to see how much they left. Disclaimer: This is not my cake nor am I the photographer.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Weak in the Knees Wednesday

I didn’t do a #WeakintheKneesWednesday this past week due to an event I was catering for my auntie. Baked goods were everywhere in my kitchen and dining room. I was a baking somebody. I learned so much and became so full after this past weekend. I was back home, in the country only moments away from where my grandmother used to live. It was also celebration time since it was my daddy’s and auntie’s birthday.

My auntie held an event through her organization “Sarah’s Daughters”. The name of the event was named “Woman to Woman: The Legacy”. It was to talk about the legacy of Taylor and Bessie Longino. Two of my other aunts were speakers and my God was it a treat! One thing that my aunt B. said was, “Stand up and recognize who you are!” That has stuck with me ever since she’s said it.

As I stated earlier, I catered a dessert bar for the event. I made all kinds of treats, such as banana pudding cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, strawberry cake, etc. I included birthday cakes for my daddy and auntie. Over the next few weeks I will share what I’ve baked with pictures in tow.

I returned back home this morning and I was tired. I went to sleep as soon as I came home. My husband turned off my cell phone and unpacked our things then told me to go lay down. I did without hesitation. Sleeping was my place of duty for hours lol.

The first thing I want to share is the shirt I made for the event and was a great hit. On the front it has Short~n~Sweet Chef Keisha and on the back is “In the Kitchen with Bessie’s Granddaughter” with her picture under it. My family loves it and wants one. I even had the graphic put on my apron. This was the beginning of an exciting weekend!

Short~n~Sweet Creations T-Shirt Line

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Weak in the Knees Wednesday Banana Split Cake

There is one thing Grandma made sure we had and that was God. I'm so grateful for that because now I have my own relationship with Him. My mother imparted God in me as well. I always loved Him and loved to sing. It would bring my heart such joy when I would go to church. I loved being in the house of the Lord as a child. Because of what my mother and grandmother placed in me, God gives me ideas through our relationship. He knows me inside and out because He created me. He knows I like to be different and a few weeks ago he gave me the idea of a Banana Split Cake.

I tried it out on my neighbor...and...let me tell you what, she loved it! Her words exactly were, "This is the best banana cake I've ever tasted!" Now you know I smiled. I am two things: a big cry baby (lol) and a giggle box. I couldn't help but smile and giggle about her excitement.

Isn't she beautiful

BANANA SPLIT CAKE

Make sure to have all of your ingredients prepared before you get started. This helps you to make sure you have everything you need to make the cake. It's a frustrating thing to start baking a cake (or cooking anything for that matter) then find out you do not have all that you need.

1/2 cup        Shortening
2 cups          Sugar
3                  Eggs
2 cups          Flour (sifted)
3 1/2 tsp      Baking Powder
1 tsp            Salt
1 pkg           Banana Pudding Mix (instant)
1 cup           Milk
2 TBSP       Vanilla Extract
2 TBSP       Banana Extract
3 scoops    Chocolate Ice Cream
                    Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
                    Cherries
                    Walnuts

FROSTING

1/2 to 1 cup            Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 cup                Heavy Whipping Cream
1 TBSP                  Vanilla Extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven at 350 degrees. Grease your pans and place parchment paper at the bottom for easy release.
Sift your flour, banana pudding mix, salt and baking powder together first.
Mix the milk and both extracts together and stir.
Cream together the shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, making sure they are mixed in well. Alternate adding in the flour mixture and milk mixture.

Pour into your pans and bake for 20-30 mins.

*NOTE: Ovens differ so watch your settings and time.

When the cake is done baking, let it cool down because some delicious ice cream of your choosing is going on top of it. While your cake is cooling off, make the frosting. Mix all ingredients together and start whipping...whip it good!

Once your delicious banana cake cools down, cut it in slices (about 3). Place your choice of ice cream on top. Then pipe the frosting on top of the ice cream. Drizzle the Hershey's syrup on top and add your cherries and walnuts. You can use any kind of syrup of your choosing. The toppings are totally up to you. Have fun baking and make memories your family can think about years later. I guarantee the memory will make them smile.

I love and miss you Grandma. Muah

Friday, August 14, 2015

Introducing Bessie's Granddaughter

My grandmother, Bessie was such a beautiful woman. She held my heart. When I was a kid, my brother and I would go visit her every summer. We would go to the country and our cousins would come over and we would have a ball. As most kids, not understanding the value of a grandparent, tend to rush off and want to go where the "real" fun is and that's the city. We would stay with her for a few days then we'd disperse to our cousin's house where there was more to do, more kids around and more freedom to do what we wanted. However, there was one thing we'd all agree on and that
was to get some of grandma's cookin'.

I remember getting to the house and waiting for dinner. She would have the house smelling good. While she was cooking for us, she'd also bake cakes for the church or for someone else. I vividly remember seeing the caramel cake and yellow cake with chocolate frosting on the table, layered perfectly. The caramel cake called out my name. If you could see it as I remember it, man you'd order a cake right now, lol.

My grandma not only showed me and my cousins how to cook natural foods, she also gave us, taught us, lead us to spiritual food. She made sure we knew God. She didn't force Him on us but introduced us to Him so we could build up a relationship with Him on our own.

Unfortunately, she passed years ago and I miss her til this day. It's hard to drive by her house still...and it's been over nine years. All I have now are memories of my grandma Bessie's Kitchen. I'm tearing up even now just thinking about her. Nevertheless, her legacy lives on through my aunties and her granddaughters. We can cook some food now! I, myself, Bessie's Granddaughter, Short~n~Sweet Chef specialize in pastries.

For a long time, I wondered what I would blog about because it's been inconsistent for years. In the Kitchen with Bessie's Granddaughter is it! God gave it to me just this week which will be combined with Weak in the Knees Wednesdays #WeakintheKneesWed

Next Wednesday, our #WeakintheKneesWed will be the Banana Split Cake! Be ready to become Weak in the Knees.

In Bessie's Kitchen,
Short~n~Sweet Chef