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Pinecones, Pinecones, Prickly Prickly Pinecones

LesterRiverEarlySummer2006

I took this photo on one of the "Put Hazel To Sleep" excursions early this summer. She and I drove the entire length of Skyline Parkway and most of the middle and southern parts of St Louis County. This was taken at the end of Skyline as the Lester River pours into Lake Superior.

And now for something completely different:

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine (always butter, always better!)

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x9x2 (I used an 8x8x2) inch baking pan; set pan aside. Stir together flour and baking powder; set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with an electric mixer on high speed about 4 minutes or until thick. (Do the four minutes, trust me...) After that, gradually add the sugar, beating on medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes or till light and fluffy. Add the dry mixture; beat on low to medium speed just till combined.

3. IN a small saucepan, heat and stir milk and butter till butter melts; add to batter, beating till combined. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

4. Bake in a 350F oven for 20-25 minutes OR till a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack. Makes 9 servings.

While the cake is baking...

Butterscotch Sauce

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup half-and-half or evaporated milk or whole milk
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon scotch (Could use rum or whiskey or whatever type of pure hard spirit you have on hand, except vodka)

In small saucepan, combine all ingredients well except butter. Once combined, add butter. Bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Serve warm. Store in refrigerator.

Once the cake is cooled and ready to eat:

Slice cake into square slices and place slice on cake plate. Spoon sauce over cake slice so that it puddles around cake. Garnish (if you wish) with a dollop of real whipped cream.
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This last part was brought to you by the letters P and D and the number 3. I just like sharing recipes.

I suppose if your OCD is working overtime and everything must come full circle, you could use the pinecones as a garnish on the cake.

Enjoy.

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