Part of the reason for the HarvestHER retreat is to provide the attendees with ideas and ways to make their life easier – both on the road and while at home.
This is accomplished by including speakers throughout the event. The 2019 retreat was amazing! Since then, I’ve heard the gals who attended speak often about mindfulness (thanks to Amy McCae) and sharing instant pot recipes (thanks to Cindy Brison). And making a torte or two (thanks to me).
I got myself into the schedule. Not because I really wanted to, but because I made the mistake of sharing a picture of a torte I was making for a birthday party with Nancy.
Her comment was something like, “Add yourself to the agenda and show us how to make this.” So, I did.
I admit, it looks way more difficult than it is.
The cake is just a Betty Crocker (or Pillsbury) mix. To make a 9 x 13 cake, you will need two boxes (making two cakes). For a smaller crowd, I’ve made one 9 x 13 and cut it in half or use two 8” rounds. One 9 x 13 should cut into about 30+ pieces.
Regardless of the cake size, you will have to cut the cake(s) in half to make four layers of cake. The easiest way to do this is with a wire cake cutter. 👇🏻
I made a raspberry torte for my demonstration. You can find your fruit of choice (usually) in the canned fruit aisle of the grocery store. Raspberry pie filling can sometimes be a little tricky to find. The larger cake will require two cans of pie filling.
The other main ingredient of this fancy cake is Bavarian cream. (Recipe to follow)
This is so much easier to demonstrate than to explain with typed words. To ease the layer separation, I cover a rectangular cardboard “plate” with freezer paper. Make a couple of these to make your life a little easier when separating the layers.
Top the first layer of cake with the pie filling and then the Bavarian cream on top of that. Add the second layer of cake.
Continue to make the layered stack by adding pie filling, followed with Bavarian cream, then another layer of cake. The fourth and final layer will only be cake and pie filling.
To finish the top, add some homemade whipped cream dollops using cake decorating tools.
Bavarian Cream
1 8 oz. cream cheese 2/3 cup brown sugar
2 cups whipping cream
With a hand mixer, mix together the first two ingredients until smooth. Slowly add (at low speed) the whipping cream to other ingredients. Once combined slowly increase the speed of the mixer and beat until firm.
For the whipped cream garnish, I usually use about 2 cups of whipping cream mixed with powdered sugar to sweeten (maybe 1/2 cup). Beat with mixer until stiff – remember not to beat too long or it will return to a liquid state. Use the cake decorator tip to make the “pretty” garnish on the cake.
Decorate as you want!
This is the basic cake directions. Feel free to change it up as you feel led. Try it with a carrot cake. Or chocolate mocha. Maybe a chocolate mint. How about strawberry or lemon pie filling? There’s no limitations!
To make a mocha cream, add hot fudge sauce (or chocolate syrup) and instant coffee (to taste). To make mint flavor cream, add at least one tsp of peppermint extract and green food coloring (this is good with chocolate cake).
This cake freezes well! Can be made ahead of your event and pulled out of the freezer about an hour before needed.
I’ll be anxious to hear how you “wowed” your crowd with this oh so easy recipe! If you have any questions, be sure to ask (harvesther16@gmail.com)!
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".
