Day of The Dead Cakes

I've already told all of you I love Halloween.  I don't know why I have such macabre interest but I always have.  Macabre may not be the correct word, but I definitely lean a little toward the dark side.  Dia De Los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other cultures around the world.  Family and friends gather to remember those who have died.  It's a little like Memorial Day here in the United States, but less somber and more festive.  The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd.  Families honor the deceased by building an altar decorated with sugar skulls, flowers, and favorite foods and beverages of the departed.  They also visit the graves with these items as gifts.  Celebrations can take on a happy atmosphere as families recollect humorous stories about their loved ones.  Foods associated with the holiday are Calaveras (or skulls) often made from sugar and chocolate.  These food gifts are for both the living and the dead.  Though my culture is not Hispanic, I have always had an interest in this holiday. I own quite a collection of decor and books related to the subject.  When I found this great skull pan, I immediately imagined cakes decorated as sugar skulls.  Whether you choose to celebrate this holiday is up to you.  You've definitely learned a little bit of history on another culture.  The cake recipe is a great one, it's dense and releases from shaped pans easily.  You don't have to make them in the shape of skulls, but I hope you do.  Feliz Dia De Los Muertos.  (Happy Day of the Dead!)

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!

The Line-Up...
A very simple cake to make.

Cream together butter and sugar.

Meanwhile sift together:
flour, baking powder and salt.

Add part of the flour mixture
to the butter mixture.

Alternate, first adding some flour, then some
milk, always beginning and ending
with flour mixture.

Add almond extract.

Whip egg whites until foamy and fluffy,
but not stiff.  You want them not quite
at soft peak form.

Carefully fold into cake batter.

Place batter in prepared pans.

Bake until cake tester inserted
near center comes out clean.

Cool completely and decorate as desired.

Honor the memory of your dear
departed friends and family.
Happy Day of the Dead!

Day of the Dead Cakes

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
6 egg whites

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease cake pan well.  Cream butter and sugar together in an electric mixture.  Meanwhile, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Alternately add flour mixture and milk to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour.  Add almond extract.  In a separate bowl, whip eggs whites until almost at the soft peak stage.  Carefully fold into cake batter.  Place in greased pans and bake until top is set and cake tester inserted in middle comes out clean.

Prep Time:  Approximately 20 minutes     Cook Time:  Will vary depending on pan type

NOTE:  The omitting of the egg yolks helps keep this cake light in color.  It may not appear done when it actually is, so use a cake tester.  It's a pretty white cake, perfect for decorating.