Do most traditions happen by accident? 'Tis a philosophical way to begin explaining how I've eventually come to bake a pan of these each time I'm sure I'll soon be seeing Dad. (That is, of course, in order to give the batch to him! 😂)When did it all begin? A look down memory lane. Back when processed foods were just as much a part of my digestion as farm foods, I'd often make a batch on an almost routine basis. This was a few decades ago.
Having boxes of these stocked up in my house (in great abundance!) began about the time when the local grocery store had a 10/$10 promotion. No, I didn't need to buy ten boxes, though I did. The promotion was too great. Each box, at this - very nearby - grocery store, typically ran at nearly $3.00. (I might be wrong, though I want to say the exact stamped price had been $2.79.) So, yes, I probably should've bought twenty boxes, not just the "pushed" ten boxes.
At the time I was also an ice cream eating feign. (I had worked at Baskin-Robbins less than a decade prior. 😀😋) And I enjoyed keeping these in my cupboard for use atop ice cream when I scooped a serving for myself in my kitchen. Maybe it was the bland appearance atop the batch, because for some reason I felt they needed these decorating it from edge to edge, almost like an icing (which I never did lather atop them as I've never been a fan of icing no matter how thinly or thickly it's layered).
A random family function would come to be & I'd whip up a batch, including these. After receiving praise for the batch, Dad, in his typical style, did point out that these weren't necessary. Over the following months & years I concluded, at least for Dad's batches, that I'd keep these for atop my ice cream instead since he'd rather I left his batch remain plain.
And so the years & events continued onward. And whenever it looked as if I'd see Dad, I'd check on my stockpile as well as checking on the other necessary ingredients, including this. I've been baking these long enough to watch the recipe change over time. The dry mix has obviously been re-engineered as the bake time originally fell around half an hour. Now it's roughly forty-five minutes, & oven temp adjusted from 350 degrees to a reality check of 325 degrees if the batter is to be poured into a dark pan. Also, using one of these versus using one of these is both fundamental & necessary for a decadent, plump, moist, & chewy result, as well as needing a bit of baking time adjustment. This also had to be considered in the revised directions that have been printed on the box's back cover throughout the years.
Now-a-days the box reads to include an additional egg (rather than simply using the traditional two) for a more "cake like" baked result. Dad's toyed with this with his own playing around; I've stuck with just the two eggs from Day One. This has occasionally been two thirds of a cup; sometimes it's half a cup. The amount of water has almost always been just a quarter cup, though sometimes it's a few tablespoons instead.
I've also learned over the years about the best of these. And which to use for a reasonable, plausible result - with the least amount of mess. I've used this; I've used this; & I find this to be best as a non-stick. Extremely lathering in the corners. Corners tend to need special love & attention when baking this recipe.
In just about as many occurrences as the back of the box reads these differences, I've grown & changed & continued baking a box in regular routine for random groups of people, some who I'll likely never see again, some that I'll see too often. Then there's always Dad. I've always continued baking a batch for Dad.
A batch has accompanied holidays, birthdays, & random stops by because I've quick questions or there's something else to pick up or drop off at their house. I don't care to use this for my own needs with the health concerns of it slipping into our systems, though I know Dad's fine with his batch being wrapped up & kept together in it, so I keep a box on hand. I don't run out of it knowing that it'll keep & it'll be good for the next batch, whenever I make it & for whomever I make it, though it'll likely be for Dad. 😉😊😋😍
In my recent perusing's of the internets I happened upon this link, which seemed awful interesting & rather alike to what I've written here, so I thought to include it, because, well, Why not? 😉😁😂😘
These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.
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