“…[W]hat generally passes for a cake over here. Your paltry American cakes: spongy, ephemeral things made of equal parts of fat, sugar and air, and often topped with some sort of vague oleaceous terror and probably all laced, moreover, with one of the most evil addictive drugs known to medical science—gasp!—chocolate. The whole thing amounting to no more than a sort of stealth version of cardiac arrest on a bun—and all the while managing to be totally unsatisfying of either hunger or taste!
In fact the only contribution to cakedom of any worth made by these here United Cakes of America is the carrot cake which is, I’m forced rather reluctantly to admit, frankly delicious and even hints at being, at least nominally, slightly sort of almost healthy-ish—and yet, and yet, I’ve noticed with horror over the last few years how even this delight is becoming less substantial and probably more fatty as the evil lords of the bakery brainwash America’s tastbuds.
And this frothy insincerity in baked goods extends even to the most serious and symbolical of cakes. To such cakes as are even central to our lives.
Take, take for example wedding cakes over here, or actually on second thoughts let’s not.If I start discussing the anthropology of serial poligamy in America in the context of baked goods you’ll all think I’m a fruitcake…" http://howlandbolton.com/essays/read_more.php?sid=63
I haven’t had a really good fruitcake in many a year. Mum and her best friend used to spend days baking them. Hubby still likes the store bought so I indulge him.
A good fruitcake needs lots and lots of dried fruits (especially cherries), some nuts but not too many, and a thorough soaking in strong booze (your choice: rum, brandy, etc.). The fresher the better. If you are lucky enough to get a good one, it’s ALL GOOD! Otherwise, they can be used as doorstops….
Richard Howland-Bolton Premium Member over 6 years ago
Hmmmmph!!
“…[W]hat generally passes for a cake over here. Your paltry American cakes: spongy, ephemeral things made of equal parts of fat, sugar and air, and often topped with some sort of vague oleaceous terror and probably all laced, moreover, with one of the most evil addictive drugs known to medical science—gasp!—chocolate. The whole thing amounting to no more than a sort of stealth version of cardiac arrest on a bun—and all the while managing to be totally unsatisfying of either hunger or taste!
In fact the only contribution to cakedom of any worth made by these here United Cakes of America is the carrot cake which is, I’m forced rather reluctantly to admit, frankly delicious and even hints at being, at least nominally, slightly sort of almost healthy-ish—and yet, and yet, I’ve noticed with horror over the last few years how even this delight is becoming less substantial and probably more fatty as the evil lords of the bakery brainwash America’s tastbuds.
And this frothy insincerity in baked goods extends even to the most serious and symbolical of cakes. To such cakes as are even central to our lives.
Take, take for example wedding cakes over here, or actually on second thoughts let’s not.If I start discussing the anthropology of serial poligamy in America in the context of baked goods you’ll all think I’m a fruitcake…" http://howlandbolton.com/essays/read_more.php?sid=63
pschearer Premium Member over 6 years ago
I LOVE fruitcake! Stop picking on it!
Sweetaddietude Premium Member over 6 years ago
I haven’t had a really good fruitcake in many a year. Mum and her best friend used to spend days baking them. Hubby still likes the store bought so I indulge him.
joefearsnothing over 6 years ago
Add me to the list of fruitcake lovers!
Fontessa over 6 years ago
Collin Street Bakery, Corsicana, Texas. Best Fruitcake Ever.
fuzzbucket Premium Member over 6 years ago
How far is Corsicana from here? 976 miles? Oh, too bad!
Sisyphos over 6 years ago
A good fruitcake needs lots and lots of dried fruits (especially cherries), some nuts but not too many, and a thorough soaking in strong booze (your choice: rum, brandy, etc.). The fresher the better. If you are lucky enough to get a good one, it’s ALL GOOD! Otherwise, they can be used as doorstops….