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June 14, 2015

Poster holidays

“Spring brightly traveling, summer half awake,
Here the afternoon city plays at being
A dream of summer’s: gaiety in repose,
Lazily festive as poster holidays,
A dream.”

– from “Urban Pastoral” by Babette Deutsch

If every end is also a beginning, then my lovely youngest daughter is at that junction between twelfth grade and the rest of her life. The end of high school is the beginning of university. The end of adolescence is the beginning of adulthood. And I couldn’t be more proud of the wonderful young woman who I see before me.

Life at this moment feels like a breath being held. The space between the inhale and the exhale, when the world lies suspended, and anything might happen. The last of the exams have been written, the prom has been attended, a summer working at camp awaits. And now, when the world lies between inhale and exhale, when the summer is half awake, when school is done and the summer job not quite begun, I am happy for every moment.

Saucy Strawberry Cake
(from Canadian Living)

I loved this recipe! The only thing I might change is adding another cup or two of berries, and increasing the sugar and cornstarch in proportion, so the dessert is even more loaded with fruit.
For berries:
4 cups hulled strawberries, quartered (or more; see note above)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
For cake:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp grated orange zest
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp orange extract or vanilla extract (I happened to have orange extract on hand and loved it. The original recipe called for vanilla and that would be great too.)
In saucepan, bring strawberries, granulated sugar and 1 Tbsp water to boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to break down, about 5 minutes. Whisk cornstarch with 2 tsp water; stir into berry mixture. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 20 seconds. Scrape into greased 8-inch square (2 quart) baking dish. Set aside.
While strawberries are cooking, in large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, butter, vinegar, and orange or vanilla extract. Stir into flour mixture just until combined.
Pour batter over strawberry mixture, spreading evenly. Bake in 375 degree oven until centre of cake appears dry and no longer jiggles, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.


Filed Under: Cakes and Cupcakes, Fruit Desserts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kayte says

    June 14, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    The dessert looks wonderful, lots of strawberries here right now and this would be a good place to use some of them. Such a wonderful photo of you and your youngest…can't believe those young girls are all grown up…I've been following you a lot of years and I have tears in my eyes thinking of all the time that has disappeared already. Enough of that…on to happy times and a happy future for you all. Beautiful girl, beautiful dress. xo

    Reply
  2. Gloria Baker says

    June 14, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    Look delicious Beth!

    Reply
  3. Julie says

    June 15, 2015 at 12:06 am

    Beth – What a beautiful girl and such a lovely post! You write so eloquently about this time your lives!! I was a little misty eyed reading it.

    Oh and the dessert looks amazing, too. Have a great week.

    Reply
  4. Natalie Aguirre says

    June 15, 2015 at 12:08 am

    I'm going through the same things as you with my daughter. It's so great to see what they've achieved and where they're going, but hard to see them separating as they need to do. Your daughter looked lovely at prom.

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    June 15, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful words.
    Kayte, I feel as if I know you even though we've only met virtually. We've both seen our kids grow into adults during that time.
    And Natalie, I've thought of your lovely daughter many times this spring as she gets ready to move on to the next stage.
    (I must admit to feeling a little misty too, Julie!)

    Reply
  6. Angie Schneider says

    June 15, 2015 at 2:59 am

    Berry cakes are the nicest treat! Your youngest daughter is REALLY tall!

    Reply
  7. Abbe Odenwalder says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:12 am

    What a beautiful couple and what a lovely daughter. I remember those moments and whenever I see photos like this it always leaves a lump in my throat!

    Reply
  8. Cakelaw says

    June 15, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Congratulations to your daughter! What beautifil photos. The strawberry cake looks delish.

    Reply
  9. Rosemary Wolbert says

    June 15, 2015 at 10:56 am

    A beautiful young woman, Beth, and how well you've expressed this fragile bit of in between time. Perfect.

    Reply
  10. We Are Not Martha says

    June 15, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    Aw you both look beautiful! And this strawberry cake delicious!

    Sues

    Reply
  11. dedy oktavianus says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    awesome cake!!
    lovin this for brunch break in the Hospital…..
    Dedy@Dentist Chef

    Reply
  12. Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says

    June 15, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Dear Beth, what a beautifully written post – I enjoyed reading each and every word of it! And congratulations to your daughter – she looks like a true treasure!
    All the very best to all of you!
    Andrea

    Reply
  13. Claudia says

    June 15, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    Such an appropriately named dessert for a budding young adult. It is something, isn't it? This "all growed up" stuff. Everything about the post made smile – and remember. All those milestones.

    Reply
  14. lisa is cooking says

    June 15, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    Congratulations to your lovely daughter! This cake looks like a terrific way to celebrate this time between schedules. Love the idea of adding more berries too!

    Reply
  15. Wendy Jacob says

    June 15, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Lovely photo Beth, she is one tall drink of water (pretty much the only recipe I can make successfully).

    Reply
  16. thepaintedapron.com says

    June 15, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    mmmmm, never had strawberry cake!
    Jenna

    Reply
  17. Jemi Fraser says

    June 15, 2015 at 11:52 pm

    She's lovely!!
    This cake sounds great – I'll definitely be trying it 🙂

    Reply
  18. Valerie Gamine says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:11 am

    Congratulations to your daughter! You're holding up much better than my mom did when I was about to start college. Being the youngest, I think she took the fact that I was growing up a bit harder than when my sister graduated. No worries though, the baby of the family will always need her mom. 🙂

    The cake looks exquisite!!

    Reply
  19. Liz Berg says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:52 am

    Congratulations to you both! Your daughter is a beautiful young woman—and I wish her every success in the next chapter. And your cake is a delicious way to celebrate 🙂

    Reply
  20. Catherine says

    June 16, 2015 at 3:58 am

    Dear Beth, What a beautiful day. Congratulations! to you and your daughter. I wish her all the very best. She looks beautiful and you look so very happy and proud.
    The cake is perfect to sit and relax and moment and reflect with a nice cup of tea or coffee. xo Catherine

    Reply
  21. Linda says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:27 am

    Your photos are beautiful and I wish you and your family nothing but happiness! The cake looks divine! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Linda says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:27 am

    Your photos are beautiful and I wish you and your family nothing but happiness! The cake looks divine! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Barbara says

    June 16, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Congratulations to your daughter, Beth. She's lovely and you both have much to be proud of. Time flies, doesn't it? I wish her great success in anything she chooses to do.

    Reply
  24. Katerina says

    June 16, 2015 at 10:20 am

    Congratulations to your daughter Beth! I wish to you nothing but happy moments like this one! Delicious cake!

    Reply
  25. grace says

    June 16, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    she's lovely! and so tall! 🙂
    this cake sounds great, though i'm almost to the point where i refuse to eat fruit desserts without vanilla ice cream…

    Reply
  26. Tricia Buice says

    June 17, 2015 at 12:39 am

    Your daughter is gorgeous and the photo of you two together is wonderful! Beautiful ladies. Congratulations on the graduation – such a wonderful time!

    Reply
  27. Marcela says

    June 17, 2015 at 5:47 am

    I love the photo of you two together! Congratulations on the graduation!

    Reply
  28. I Wilkerson says

    June 17, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Ah yes, I understand. Graduation for us last Sunday… and so many final celebrations. Congratulations on raising a beautiful (inside too I'm sure) daughter.

    Reply
  29. Monica says

    June 18, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    What an exciting time for your beautiful daughter! Congrats on all the milestones. There are lots of adventures to come for her.

    Reply
  30. Abbe Odenwalder says

    September 1, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    What a beautiful couple and what a lovely daughter. I remember those moments and whenever I see photos like this it always leaves a lump in my throat!

    Reply

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