Tip 26: Write About Food!
Bread is the Staff of Life.
Patti is a freelance writer for SIGNATURE magazine, which is located downtown [Alexandria, Louisiana] inside the offices of THE TOWN TALK, the city paper. The following article about Kristin's cakes is reprinted here with the permission of Signature magazine.
Patti's cake by Kristin's Konfections
Wedding and Specialty Cakes
Located in Alexandria, LA
5811 Ste. A Masonic Drive
318-767-1504
- Custom Designed Cakes
- Traditional Wedding Cakes
- Petit Fours
- Corporate Cakes
- Birthday Cakes
- Decorated Cookies
Petite Gateau
Tea Cakes to Make!
"Petite Gateau is the name of my little bakery in my butler's pantry. It's where I make my tea cakes. There is a separate entrance to it on the side of the house. I call it my PATISSIER ... French for bakery."
GaMoo's Iced Almond Tea Cakes
Icing:
1 stick butter
1 box confectioners sugar
2 Tbsp. almond extract
2 Tbsp. or more of whole milk
Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of baking soda
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. almond extract
1/4 c. milk
6 c. flour
Directions: Put extra flour on large sheet of waxed paper to prevent sticking. Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Add all dry ingredients slowly, mixing milk
carefully. Make into a big ball and chill for several hours. Roll out onto a floured waxed paper to about a quarter inch thick. Use seasonal cookie cutters to make various shapes. Place on seasoned or foil lined baking sheets. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about three to five minutes, for chewy cakes. Roll thin and bake longer for crisp cakes. Be careful!
Icing Directions: Melt butter. Slowly mix in confectioners sugar, almond extract and milk. The icing or glaze should be thin enough to firm when brushed (with a pastry brush) on the back side of a cooled tea cake. Makes about 6 doz cakes depending on size.
Ms. Powell presents other old fashioned and authentic French recipes in her cookbook: deBellevue Williams Cochon de Lait. This cookbook celebrates the food that her ancestors enjoyed in Mansura, Louisiana. The annual festival there features roast pig, cooked outdoors in a variety of ways. Visit COOKSBOOKS.COM for more info and a recipe for Chicken Creole.