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Cake or Pie? Take your pick

Mayhaw Man

By Mayhaw Man
in Food Traditions & Culture

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Miss E

Miss E

Posted
Posted

Pie, because they are more forgiving to make, and I'm not a huge icing fan. I don't even turn my nose up at a decent pudding mix pie - there's one with a pecan/caramel layer base then vanilla pudding & whipped cream on top. I do draw the line at Cool Whip, however.

I have an easy pie crust recipe that I got from my Mom, who was a big pie person. I have done the whole cut shortening & butter into flour routine, but the result (IMO) was not that much better than this:

1 C + 2 TBLSP flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 C vegetable oil

Mix above with fork, then add

1-2 TBLSP water as needed

This makes enough for one pie crust.

When the universe gives you what you want, ask for more.
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Katie Meadow

Katie Meadow

Posted
Posted
This discussion is absurd.  Cake cannot carry pie's cape.  Cake advocates need to take a long look in the mirror and ask themselves if they really have what it takes to be a foodie.

This discussion is hysterical. Cake was originally designed as a way of getting rid of sugar in such a fashion that it was able to support one or more candles. A beautiful cake is an art project and I am the first to admit that I love to admire a fanciful work behind the glass. I am totally in awe of people who can create something so lovely. But after it's cut it's a letdown for me. I have no interest in eating cake.

Sweet potato pie: unique in this world. Carmelized rustic tarte tatin: transporting. Peach pie, key lime, blueberry...of course it goes without saying there are lousy pies, but that's not what we're talkin' about here. My idea of heaven: hiking out to the lagoon the day after Thanksgiving and packing a big piece of my SIL's pecan pie for lunch. Now there's a pie that travels well.

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CaliPoutine

CaliPoutine

Posted
Posted
OK, here's the thing. I just spent two days making cakes. This cake only. 

Coconut Cake

I have a party to go to tomorrow night and have to bring dessert, but I was mainly making it for some photos required by the crazy demanding Calipoutine (an unaplogetic fan of coconut cake). I'll post them shortly, as right now it would be a pain on this connection.

At any rate, if you can tell me that some pan full of goo is better than this cake, and convince me that you are right, we'll work something out for a home baked cake.  I like to travel, so what the heck?

It's about 5 recipes bound into one and, well, damned tasty. Give it a try. It's not easy, takes some time and some not easy to find components, but it's worth the trouble. There is, truly, a reason my friends call it " crack cake".

And if you want to see the better photos, you can probably find them at this month's

"Southern Living" site and for sure in the magazine (I'm not really that bald-they were just trying to make us into everymen".

Pie? feh.

A good cake whomps a good pie any day of the week. Period.

I'm still waiting for the pics!!

Randi

2girlsinthekitchen.blogspot.com

The Senior Dining Thread

eG Food Blogs

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Mayhaw Man

Mayhaw Man

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted
OK, here's the thing. I just spent two days making cakes. This cake only. 

Coconut Cake

I have a party to go to tomorrow night and have to bring dessert, but I was mainly making it for some photos required by the crazy demanding Calipoutine (an unaplogetic fan of coconut cake). I'll post them shortly, as right now it would be a pain on this connection.

At any rate, if you can tell me that some pan full of goo is better than this cake, and convince me that you are right, we'll work something out for a home baked cake.  I like to travel, so what the heck?

It's about 5 recipes bound into one and, well, damned tasty. Give it a try. It's not easy, takes some time and some not easy to find components, but it's worth the trouble. There is, truly, a reason my friends call it " crack cake".

And if you want to see the better photos, you can probably find them at this month's

"Southern Living" site and for sure in the magazine (I'm not really that bald-they were just trying to make us into everymen".

Pie? feh.

A good cake whomps a good pie any day of the week. Period.

I'm still waiting for the pics!!

As I type, I'm baking six rounds. I promise that I will send you finished results when I am all done.

Brooks Hamaker, aka "Mayhaw Man"

There's a train everyday, leaving either way...

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CKatCook

CKatCook

Posted
Posted

I am definately, firmly in the pie camp. A well made cake is a work of art for sure, but a pie is something you can pull up a chair and dig your fork in...a well made pie crust trumps cake...

let THEM eat cake... I will take pie!

"I eat fat back, because bacon is too lean"

-overheard from a 105 year old man

"The only time to eat diet food is while waiting for the steak to cook" - Julia Child

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LindaK

LindaK

Posted
Posted

I thought this debate had been settled in favor of pie long ago. But thanks for bumping it up again, Brooks, it's fun to read once more the futile arguments in favor of cake.

I made a yellow cake the other night.  With broiled icing.  When I opened the oven door, it was on fire.  Actual flames shooting out the top of the cake.  I closed the door, turned the oven off and walked away. 

This probably wasn't funny at the time, so hope there's no offense when I tell you that your picture of a flame-throwing cake made me laugh.


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Lindacakes

Lindacakes

Posted
Posted

I have sucha vivid visual of above flaming cake that in my household that story has become shorthand for immediate, quiet resignation.

As in, I turned the temperature down and walked.

I like to bake nice things. And then I eat them. Then I can bake some more.

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PopsicleToze

PopsicleToze

Posted
Posted (edited)
OK, here's the thing. I just spent two days making cakes. This cake only. 

Coconut Cake

I have a party to go to tomorrow night and have to bring dessert, but I was mainly making it for some photos required by the crazy demanding Calipoutine (an unaplogetic fan of coconut cake). I'll post them shortly, as right now it would be a pain on this connection.

At any rate, if you can tell me that some pan full of goo is better than this cake, and convince me that you are right, we'll work something out for a home baked cake.  I like to travel, so what the heck?

It's about 5 recipes bound into one and, well, damned tasty. Give it a try. It's not easy, takes some time and some not easy to find components, but it's worth the trouble. There is, truly, a reason my friends call it " crack cake".

And if you want to see the better photos, you can probably find them at this month's

"Southern Living" site and for sure in the magazine (I'm not really that bald-they were just trying to make us into everymen".

Pie? feh.

A good cake whomps a good pie any day of the week. Period.

I'm still waiting for the pics!!

As I type, I'm baking six rounds. I promise that I will send you finished results when I am all done.

I was just flipping through Nov-08's Southern Living for a few last minute Thanksgiving Ideas, and lo and behold, there was Brooks and his famous cake in all of its glory!! Wish I could post the picture for everyone, but it is gorgeous.

Even though I don't like coconut :shock: I'm going to make this for Thanksgiving since all of the normal people in the family love coconut cake.

Congrats, Brooks!!

Rhonda

edited for typo

Edited by PopsicleToze (log)

Rhonda

Food blog - Honeysuckles and Huckleberries... growing up in the Louisiana Countryside

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CaliPoutine

CaliPoutine

Posted
Posted (edited)
OK, here's the thing. I just spent two days making cakes. This cake only. 

Coconut Cake

I have a party to go to tomorrow night and have to bring dessert, but I was mainly making it for some photos required by the crazy demanding Calipoutine (an unaplogetic fan of coconut cake). I'll post them shortly, as right now it would be a pain on this connection.

At any rate, if you can tell me that some pan full of goo is better than this cake, and convince me that you are right, we'll work something out for a home baked cake.  I like to travel, so what the heck?

It's about 5 recipes bound into one and, well, damned tasty. Give it a try. It's not easy, takes some time and some not easy to find components, but it's worth the trouble. There is, truly, a reason my friends call it " crack cake".

And if you want to see the better photos, you can probably find them at this month's

"Southern Living" site and for sure in the magazine (I'm not really that bald-they were just trying to make us into everymen".

Pie? feh.

A good cake whomps a good pie any day of the week. Period.

I'm still waiting for the pics!!

As I type, I'm baking six rounds. I promise that I will send you finished results when I am all done.

I was just flipping through Nov-08's Southern Living for a few last minute Thanksgiving Ideas, and lo and behold, there was Brooks and his famous cake in all of its glory!! Wish I could post the picture for everyone, but it is gorgeous.

Even though I don't like coconut :shock: I'm going to make this for Thanksgiving since all of the normal people in the family love coconut cake.

Congrats, Brooks!!

Rhonda

edited for typo

I made Brooks cake today for my 42nd bday( yep, I have to make my own cake). Its gorgeous and I can't wait to taste it tonight. Coconut cake is my most favorite cake.

The only thing I couldnt do, was split the layers. They were so delicate, I didnt want to risk it falling apart.

gallery_25969_665_81527.jpg

Doesnt it look so moist?

gallery_25969_665_35233.jpg

Edited by CaliPoutine (log)

Randi

2girlsinthekitchen.blogspot.com

The Senior Dining Thread

eG Food Blogs

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Toliver

Toliver

Posted
Posted
Holy Crap Brooks, that cake was effing fantastic.

gallery_25969_665_402944.jpg

Simply stunning. I call thee Food Porn!

Thanks for posting the pictures.

 

“Peter: Oh my god, Brian, there's a message in my Alphabits. It says, 'Oooooo.'

Brian: Peter, those are Cheerios.”

– From Fox TV’s “Family Guy”

 

Tim Oliver

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gingerbeer

gingerbeer

Posted
Posted (edited)

cake!!!!!!!! i love cake.

what i really can't understand is people who prefer ice cream to cake. cake is so much better.

that cake above makes me want to lick the screen.

i've also noticed, even in putting together my blog for a few days (that's not a plug, i promise) the most featured food in literary food scenes is... cake! you know why? because it's crazily delicious.

Edited by gingerbeer (log)
http://literaryfoodporn.blogspot.com
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Mayhaw Man

Mayhaw Man

Posted
  • Topic Starter
Posted

Randi,

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I told you that there was a reason that my friend Sue calls the thing "crack cake." :raz:

And, judging by the number of people who looked me up and figured out my email address, you weren't alone in your holiday baking extravaganza. I write stuff with recipes all of the time, but I have never gotten the volume of email that I got off of this thing. Most of them were in love with the cake, but a few got into the middle of it and realized that it was a whole bunch of work and complained mightily (though they mostly finished it and loved it).

Brooks Hamaker, aka "Mayhaw Man"

There's a train everyday, leaving either way...

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Lindacakes

Lindacakes

Posted
Posted

Wow.

I have to make it now. I have been eating a lot of coconut cake lately because this particular coconut cake has seven minute icing and I don't have to make it.

And coconut cake is probably the sexiest cake.

That is amazing.

I like to bake nice things. And then I eat them. Then I can bake some more.

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  • 3 months later...
CaliPoutine

CaliPoutine

Posted
Posted
Randi,

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I told you that there was a reason that my friend Sue calls the thing "crack cake." :raz:

And, judging by the number of people who looked me up and figured out my email address, you weren't alone in your holiday baking extravaganza. I write stuff with recipes all of the time, but I have never gotten the volume of email that I got off of this thing. Most of them were in love with the cake, but a few got into the middle of it and realized that it was a whole bunch of work and complained mightily (though they mostly finished it and loved it).

I missed this when you first posted it. Personally, I didnt think the cake was that hard to make. I made the "glue" one day and the cake and icing the next day. It was actually once of the easier cakes I've ever made. I urge anyone who loves a good coconut( cake) to bake it. You wont be sorry!!

Randi

2girlsinthekitchen.blogspot.com

The Senior Dining Thread

eG Food Blogs

#1#2

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ravenshadow13

ravenshadow13

Posted
Posted

Cake. For sure. If I want fruit, I can put some raspberries on top of my cake, or make an apple cake, or serve a nice coulis or something. Pie is too sophisticated for me, I think. But, you know, the rules aren't clear. Boston Cream Pie is really cake, and there is such thing as Cake Pie...

Cake is just soul food, for me. Mmmm...

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Marya

Marya

Posted
Posted

If crust had more flavor (I just can't get excited about flour, shortening and water) like french tart pastry, I could get behind pie. But, until butter, egg yolk and sugar make an appearance, I'm firmly behind a luscious and moist cake.

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CKatCook

CKatCook

Posted
Posted
Holy Crap Brooks, that cake was effing fantastic.

gallery_25969_665_402944.jpg

Simply stunning. I call thee Food Porn!

Thanks for posting the pictures.

that looks amazing!!!

"I eat fat back, because bacon is too lean"

-overheard from a 105 year old man

"The only time to eat diet food is while waiting for the steak to cook" - Julia Child

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viva

viva

Posted
Posted

I did make Brook's coconut cake recently, and all the cake-lovers in the gathering adored it.

I thought it was pretty good (being cake and all), but I'll still take pie, thanks! :wink: Grandma made me some blackberry cobbler with a nice flaky crust for my birthday that was spectacular! Yes, I had birthday cobbler instead of birthday cake. My family knows me.

...wine can of their wits the wise beguile, make the sage frolic, and the serious smile. --Alexander Pope

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