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Dreaming of a normal fall, traditions, and back to school cake.

Pumpkin cake with cinnamon molasses drizzle

Depending on where you live or what you are going through, this fall may not look or seem like it normally does. Here in southern California it’s supposed to be 107 degrees this Labor Day weekend. There’s no back to school shopping since my kids will be online learning. I’m dreaming of sweater weather, mask free time with friends, and sipping hot chai on a cool day. We give those special moments up this year for our health and the health of loved ones, for distanced learning, distanced family and friends. We won’t be going to parties or football games, but hopefully it’ll all be back soon and it’ll be so nice when it is. For now, I’m grateful for all we have, even though I am missing…well, the world. And I’m holding on to one tradition this fall and that’s my first day of school cake.

Every year, since my kids started kindergarten, I have made a special cake for my kids on the first day of school. In the early years, I made complicated cakes with themes–one year I even made a yellow school bus complete with fondant kids in the windows! But as the years go busier and after school time was taken up with sports and activities, my cakes got simpler too. Many years ago I made a rice crispy treat cake in the shape of a huge pencil, and they loved it. It’s not about the cake, but the way it brings us together. This year we will all be home, working around each other but I still made a cake. It’ll be special because it’ll also be my son’s last first day cake before he starts college next year. I used my favorite Martha Stewart Pumpkin recipe and tried out a pretty new Nordic Ware Woodland Cakelet pan from Williams Sonoma. I whipped up a quick cinnamon molasses frosting to drizzle over the top.



It is a tradition that we have enjoyed every year for so many years, and this year in 2020, it’ll be even more special because everyone is home. The cake decor or recipe itself doesn’t matter…it is just an excuse for us to all to come together and connect, share, laugh and talk about who we saw that day, or what the new teachers were like.

If you don’t have kids, maybe you could make a treat for a favorite teacher or friend as many of them navigate a unique fall this year. Nothing says fall like applesauce!! We have a young apple tree in our backyard that has been producing small but sweet apples. Last weekend, I made applesauce and jarred it–this would make really nice fall gifts too if you are not a baker. Applesauce is so simple…just peel, core and chop apples (about 6 cups). Add about 1/2-3/4 cup water and 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp sugar. Cover and boil on med/low until they are tender about 25-30 minutes. Puree with handheld or blender.



Wishing you a good start to the semester and fall wherever you are!

Cake stand by my sister, Danae Fasano Pottery


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