Of Fruitcake and Writing
The two topics aren't connected--yet. But stay tuned.
Yesterday I spent a lovely morning at Bien Fait Specialty Cakes, having a wonderful chat with Cara and Erin. Also tasting their delectable products, which go beyond fruitcake and teacake to include snack bars and granola. When I arrived they were pulling pans of Tropical Fruit bars from the oven and I could smell the lovely caramel scent of browning butter and sweet fruits as I approached the door. While I was there, they made Honey Apricot Nutcakes, a teacake filled with golden raisins, apricots, and walnuts. The fruits soak overnight in a mixture of locally produced honey and water so they are plump and moist, and the nuts are chopped by hand so they have the texture you want. Simply yum.
Also, for fruitcake skeptics, I have three words: Chocolate Lover's Cake. Cara and Erin call this a "specialty cake" rather than a fruitcake, but however you categorize it, it's fabulous--chocolate in the batter, dried fruits whose flavors are enhanced by chocolate, and just the right level of moistness. I put one of these in the freezer to tempt BD with when she gets home.
Plus, their traditional fruitcakes are wonderful. Looking west out of their office window I could see a perfect hill for hiking and I started planning a summer's day. A favorite hike, made even better with a few slices of fruitcake and a thermos of iced tea or lemonade at the top. Or a summer afternoon's tea on a lake, with finger sandwiches and fruitcake slices. Or a picnic, with fruitcake and cheese and fresh fruit.
Because what is fruitcake? Dried fruits, macerated so they are no longer dry, nuts, a bit of spiced batter to bind them together. Some alcohol--or cider--to moisten them. Those are all healthy things to eat (depending on your thoughts on alcohol, and of course on how the fruits are dried).
I say it's fruitcake and I say it's delicious.
Originally I was going to write about Bien Fait for a future issue of Edible Green Mountains, but in between the time we set up my visit and yesterday, two things happened. 1) Edible Green Mountains went on publishing hiatus and 2) I started developing a YA novel plot that would involve fruitcake. Why fruitcake? Because of my experience discovering fruitcakes in attics, which I blogged about last summer. So I am plotting, and Cara and Erin helped with my research.
The other cool thing about Bien Fait--100% of their profits go to Wonder & Wisdom, a non-profit that serves both children and senior citizens.
All in all, endeavors that do a great job at increasing general world awesomeness.
This morning, riding my fruitcake, specialty cake high, I cranked out four pages on my non-fiction wip. This afternoon will be spent planting vegetables.