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Heartwings Love Notes 782 - Celebrating Special Days with Special Treats

Heartwings says, "Celebrations are always fun and birthdays are a good reason to celebrate."

The joyful birthday of our country on July fourth happens to be right next to and between my husband Stephen's on the 3rd and our wedding anniversary on the 5th. Over the many years of our life together what a wonderful time we have had with our celebrations. In the past we would share what we called our three days of peace and love with friends. They would come from everywhere and stay, overflowing our large home, enjoying the pool and the hot tub, and even camping in the back yard.

Today we live more quietly, yet we still have friends in to celebrate. Special recipes are always fun to share for these occasions. Over the years I have evolved quite a few. One of Stephen's favorites is a cake made with Almond paste or Marzipan. The main ingredient can be purchased at almost any market. This cake is not the kind to be frosted however you could also decorate it with fruit. If I decide to make it this year I might spell out Happy Birthday Stephen with pieces of strawberry.

Marzipan Cake

Preheat oven to 325

Grease and flour, or line with parchment an 8 round cake pan.

Ingredients:

7 or 8 oz almond paste or marzipan
¾ cups butter
2/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
¼ teaspoon almond extract
¼ tsp baking powder
1/3 cup all purpose flour

Method: Crumble almond paste into bowl. Add butter. Beat well until blended. Gradually add sugar and beat well until mixture is light in color and texture. Add beaten eggs, continue beating for 3 minutes. Add flavoring. Sprinkle in baking powder by pinches. Fold in flower. Scrape batter into prepared baking pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until firm and browned on top, and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes on a rack. Slide a thin knife around and under the cake to detach from pan. Invert on rack then turn right side up and finish cooling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

This cake is a wonderful treat, and can easily be made gluten free by using a flour mix from Bob's Red Mill or another one you might like. It really helps to have a mixer, though it would also be excellent exercise, it would be very labor intensive to mix it by hand,. Whether I make this recipe or another I am fond of, I know I will enjoy celebrating these special days.

May your special days be fun to celebrate,
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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