It is free choice week and so a few weeks ago, I asked my husband to choose some cakes he liked from Rose's Heavenly Cakes. It was really interesting watching him go through the book. I had some preconceived views about what he would like, given I've lived with him for 18 years. However, these little exercises in picking and choosing are never completely predictable.
That he chose an apple cake was NO surprise. Apple-Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake. An apple is a desert island fruit to my husband. He grew up in an apple growing area of Victoria and his parents still talk about growing up with Tim and finding apple cores all over the house.
That he didn't choose a cheesecake was a HUGE surprise - but perhaps he's been typecast in the role of cheesecake lover all these years and given an opportunity to redefine himself....See you really should ask...
That he only chose 4 cakes was NO surprise. As a point of context - of the 99 cakes - I probably love the sound of 70 of them. Don't get me wrong, each week he's more than happy to see what I'm making, to share a slice and to provide feedback. He just isn't lying on his back, staring at the ceiling and day dreaming about cakes (not that we know anyone like that).
That he chose a 'fun' cake was NO surprise. He has always loved helping with the children's birthday cakes (Thomas the tank engine, the lion, the princess mushroom fairy cake, the old lady in the shoe...). He chose Pumpkin Cake with Burnt Orange Silk Meringue Buttercream. For those without the book....hint....it is the shape of a pumpkin. I love that one too.
That he chose a cake that was romantic and dramatic was also NO surprise. After all, the cake is shaped like a heart - Rose Red Velvet Cake. After the priest blessed us and told us we were married, he held my hand walking down the aisle and I'm sure this man will be calmly holding my hand and telling me he loves me when I'm on my death bed.
That his final cake was the English Gingerbread Cake was also NO surprise. He has always loved ginger. And given that he comes from a long line of Anglo Australians (no Italian, Irish or American heritage like myself) it isn't surprising that his tastes run to puddings, roast dinners and gingerbread cake.
So, perhaps after all, the only big surprise was the rejection of the typecast cheesecake-lover. Though I actually think if we did the exercise again, one or two would sneak in. The cheesecakes are towards the back of the book and he just may need a bit more cookbook training...you know the kind of training you do when you learn to read cookbooks in bed. It's hard to believe that for the last eighteen hundred years that I've been baking him cheesecakes, he hasn't loved them....nah. cant be true. must try again with cookbook. but in a few months time.
Anyway, HAPPY FATHER's DAY Tim. We love you. And you love Apple-Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake. p.s. I loved it too.
