In 1969 Curt and I were married. He was a vibrant young airman, with a wonderful out going personality, attached to the Air Police Squadron, in the United States Air Force and I was a tall gangling, chestnut haired young woman that worked at the Base Exchange at Francis E. Warren Air force Base and attend The University of Wyoming night school in the evening. Our paths crossed when Curt and his friend Dix were invited over to my friend and neighbor's house Lynda Lawson's. They both played instruments and they were having a jam session. After several hit and misses of seeing one another, we fell in love, and on March 27,1969 we eloped to Greeley,Colorado and was married by a Justice of the Peace. We were married for 40 years almost making it to 41.
As with most young couples just starting out, we were short on cash in those days but rich with the friendship of other young marrieds in the same predicament. We would share meals together at one another's homes and it would be potluck most of the time. What great memories those times bring back as I reflect back on them.
One evening we were invited over to a couple's house 'Brenda and Woody Woodall's. Curt was soon going to be getting out of the service and Brenda made a special cake as a surprise for Curt because it was his birthday. What a cake it was! Tall, 3 layers, covered with a wonderful creamy frosting, with a rich, moist chocolate tasting interior, colored a warm red. We soon discovered it was called a Red Velvet Cake by most folks, but the Woodall family called it 'The Three Hundred Dollar Cake'!........Neither Curt or I had ever eaten such a delicious cake. We were in serious like from the first delicious bite!
The Woodall's, who were from Texas, shared this story, and we have tried to pass it on with the recipe, now at least it will all be passed on as it should be. Brenda's Aunt and Uncle went to Las Vegas for a trip, while there they dined in a very fancy restaurant. After their meal they ordered the chef special desert 'Red Velvet Cake' , they were so impressed they asked to meet the chef and asked if he would share his recipe. he said" of course it would be his pleasure", they wrote down their name and address gave it to him and left. Several weeks later the anticipated recipe arrived...along with a bill for $300.00 for the chef's recipe. It was a legal and binding bill for his services and they had to pay it! Moral to story.... they made a point to share the recipe to all who wanted it to make up for the debt they had to pay for the recipe!
After that first birthday cake with The Woodall's, Curt requested it every year that we were married for his special day. When Chris became aware enough to know about cake he too became amoured of 'The Red Velvet Cake'. A family tradition was established. Amy never wanted homemade. She has always been most fond of white cake, with white butter-cream, decorated with delicate little light pink flowers, from a bakery. (Go figure, the girl knows what she wants) I personally love a homemade marble cake with Chocolate Icing.
I will say this about this cake. Most folks in the south make a cream cheese frosting for their Red Velvet. We have always preferred this cooked whipped frosting. It is the bomb as far as taste goes combined with the cake itself. Now then this cake is not an easy cake to make, it is somewhat temperamental. I have had many total disasters but it was always edible just not pretty. I have tried different solutions because it was either too dry or too moist and would sink in the center. I have now decided that 8 inch pans are the best and to closely watch it at the end. The results are almost perfect every-time. The frosting is easy if you allow the cooked sauce to totally cool. Also you might should make two batches of frosting so there is plenty to lay it on thick, it will make it much more decadent.
In January 2010 Curt spent his final earthly birthday in the ICU trying to recover from emergency colon surgery. I didn't get to make him his cake, that still makes me sad. As I said it is a tradition in January and February in the Lane households, this year I made Curt's cake and we celebrated his life. I will continue to carry on this tradition as long as I am able, simply because of my love for a young man who loved the taste of 'The Three Hundred Dollar Cake' just as he loved me so very well for 41 years and still counting.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
~Kahlil Gibran
~Mama's Red Velvet Cake~
Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon butter flavoring
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1 ounce of red food coloring
3 tablespoons level of cocoa
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2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
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1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of soda
Directions:
preheat oven to 350 degrees
grease and flour and use parchment paper in... 3.... 8 inch pans
Cream shortening, sugar, eggs and flavors together.
In a small dish make a paste of the red coloring and cocoa.
Add to the first mixture.
Alternately add cake flour and buttermilk.
Mix soda and vinegar in small bowl.
Add to batter.
Divide evenly between the 3 pans.
Bake approximately 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.
~Mama's Red Velvet Cake Frosting~
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
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1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons of vanilla
Directions:
In a small saucepan cook milk, salt and flour until thick. Set aside to cool.
Cream shortening, and sugar very well, add vanilla. Combine with first cooled ingredients.
Whip very well. Spread on cooled cake layers.
Thank you so much for sharing the Red Velvet Care recipe and yours and Curtis’ life. Tommie and his wife were up this weekend; they are doing well. Here is a picture of Leeland, my Grandson.
ReplyDeleteLove & Prayers,
Maggie