Thunder Cake ...oh MY!!!

My son came home Friday and all he could talk about was the Thunder Cake he made in his afternoon class at school. This cake is based off a children's book, Thunder Cake by Leah Polacco,  that his teacher read to them during the week. They all came together to make the cake in class and all took a piece home on Friday.

He said it had butter, eggs, flour and tomatoes...I said tomatoes???? I quickly looked up the recipe as he is pleading to make one at home and of course I never turn downan opportunity to try a new cake recipe. I am always excited to support his enthusiasm for learning and of course my enthusiasm for cooking/baking...smile!

Here is the recipe and be sure to check back as I will share our Thunder Cake baking experience in a later post...

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together one at a time:
1 cup shortening
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated
( blend yolks in. Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes

Sift together:
21/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup dry cocoa
11/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt

Mix dry mixture into creamy mixture. Bake in two greased and floured 8
1/2 inch pans at 350 degree for
35 to 40 minutes. Frost with chocolate butter frosting. Top with strawberries.

Here is a I quick synopsis of Thunder Cake story:
Thunder Cake The Story
(From Leah Polacco)
"Grandma looked at the horizon, drew a deep breath and said, ‘This is Thunder Cake weather, all right. Looks like a storm is coming.’"


Thunder Cake is the story of how Patricia Polacco conquered her childhood fear of Michigan thunderstorms with the assistance her grandmother. By encouraging the young Patricia to ignore the approaching storm, the two wander outside to gather the ingredients for Thunder Cake, the perfect recipe for a rainy day. After the cake is in the oven, Grandma recounts the day’s events, convincing Patricia that only a "brave" girl would climb out from her hiding spot to collect eggs and tomatoes, milk the cow, and venture through Tangleweed Woods to the dry shed. Realizing that her grandma is right, Patricia welcomes the storm and a warm slice of Thunder Cake, never again to fear the "voice of thunder."

We will see how it turns out!!
xoxo,
Ronita