Thunder Cake

Today is the first day of summer. We'd like to think that on such a wonderful day we'd get to enjoy the typical sunny, hot weather of Wisconsin. Instead, it looks like we've got some severe storms coming. While we busy ourselves by trying to get field work done before the storms get here, you can get ready for the storm with the classic children's book "Thunder Cake" by Patricia Polacco.
This story follows a small girl who is afraid of storms. Her grandmother has her help make a special cake. As the thunder gets closer the girl runs out to the barn to gather eggs and picks berries for the topping. It's a great tale for kids of all ages that our family has enjoyed for many years.
The cake recipe can be found in the book but we found a copy for you, too.

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.