In Remembrance of 9-11

posted in: Dessert | 12

I, like everyone else, remember exactly where I was and what I was doing on September 11th ten years ago. A junior high classmate of mine ran into my homeroom class to alert us all that terrorists had attacked New York. At first I didn’t even really take what he was saying seriously because those in my generation grew up to constant talk of terrorism on the news and it didn’t even really register as being a concept that had anything to do with our reality.

But within another couple of minutes, my entire junior high class was crowded around a small TV in our classroom watching New York. We sat watching the smoking building and the hundreds of terrified people jumping out of it to escape what they knew was happening, and there we saw the second plane hit the second tower right before our eyes. The room slowly filled with crying, as classmates began to remember that they had parents in New York and D.C. that morning, that they had parents that were supposed to be flying that morning. Even though we were thousands of miles away, the chaos and tragedy of what was happening could be felt in that little classroom.

It was beyond surreal for Jason and I to watch the memorial service at ground zero this morning on television, to hear the bell that rang to mark the moments when another plane crashed and more lives were lost. Though there’s nothing any of us can do to change what happened, we all have our own ways of remembering and honoring those who lost their lives. When I read Marla’s post calling for fellow bloggers to bake a cake in remembrance of 9-11 today, I knew that this would be my way to honor those people.


9-11 Remembrance – FamilyFreshCooking.com

For all those who were hurt by those acts of hatred that changed our world 10 years ago, we all remember you and honor you, and you are always in my prayers.

American Streusel Bundt Cake

Streusel Cake:

  • 2 c. unbleached cake flour
  • 1 1/3 c. organic sugar
  • 1/2 c. + 2 T. butter
  • 1 1/2 t. salt
  • 4 t. baking powder
  • 3 T. + 1/2 c. canola oil
  • 3/4 c. toasted, chopped pecans
  • 1 (3.5 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1/2 c. milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 c. light rum
  • 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 t. cinnamon

Cinnamon Glaze:

  • 1 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 t. cinnamon
  • 1/2 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 T. cream

– To make the cake: Combine the cake flour, organic sugar, 1/2 c. butter (cut into small pieces), salt, baking powder, and 3T. oil in a large mixing bowl and mix until the butter creates small pea-sized crumbs.

-Mix in the 1/2 c. oil, pudding mix, milk, eggs, rum, and vanilla, and mix on low for a couple minutes until the batter is smooth and lump-free.

-To make the streusel: In a food processor, pulse together the remaining 2 T. butter with the brown sugar, cinnamon, 1/2 c. of the pecans and all-purpose flour until a crumbly mixture is formed.

-In a well greased bundt pan, pour in half of the cake batter. Over that batter, sprinkle the struesel. Pour the remaining half of the batter over the streusel. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

-Let the cake cook for 5 minutes in the pan before flipping it out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze:

-Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over the cake after it has cooled for at least 15 minutes. Let the whole cake cool completely (should take another 45 minutes), slice, and serve! Makes 12 dessert servings.

We’ve been glued to the television all day watching the services and the amazing stories about the people involved in 9-11, but no matter what you were doing today I hope that you had a chance to take a moment and reflect.

I’m inspired by the intense (and too brief) moments of unity that we share on days like today when we all remember what happened. It’s a warming reminder that despite the many problems our country has and the very polarized political climate that we’re in, at the end of the day we all care for and support each other as fellow humans and fellow Americans.

Jason and I are going to inhale this cake and enjoy life. We’re thankful for every minute of it.

God bless,

-Lauren

12 Responses

  1. marla {family fresh cooking}
    |

    What a stunning bundt cake and a touching post. You say it all so clearly here:
    “For all those who were hurt by those acts of hatred that changed our world 10 years ago, we all remember you and honor you, and you are always in my prayers.”
    Yes, always in our prayers. Hug that guy of yours and eat a bite of that cake for me too, OK?! xxoo

    • lawfullyweddedwife
      |

      Thank you so much! Your idea for remembrance is a great one. 😀

  2. Gerda von Maur
    |

    The Bundt cake looks and sounds delicious, can I subsitute the rum with something non-alcoholic? Please advise….

    • lawfullyweddedwife
      |

      Thank you! Yes you can certainly leave out the rum and just replace that with another 1/2 c. of milk.

  3. […] American Streusel Bundt Cake Lawfully Wedded Wife […]

  4. saminacooks
    |

    Your bundt cake looks delicious. I remember the day of the attacks vividly as well. Although I was blessed that no one directly connected to me was injured or worst, I knew many people who lost friends and family members. I was in college and I had received a phone call from family members around the country, asking if my parents were ok (they were no where near). Then I turned on the news. The rest of the day was in a near panic, calling two of my friends who did work near there. I could not reach them until 9 pm that evening (they were late to work…Thank God).

  5. Lauren
    |

    What a lovely post. I would have baked a cake in remembrance if I had known about it!

  6. Jennifer @ Loving Bytes
    |

    I baked your cake and it is delicious! I used and Angel Food Cake Pan instead of a Bundt Pan, so mine did not come out as pretty as yours (stuck to the pan despite my greasing it very well). I am impressed with how perfect yours looks. I can’t wait to eat a whole piece in the morning, but the pieces that broke off taste SO good! Thanks for sharing your story and your recipe!

    • lawfullyweddedwife
      |

      I’m so glad that you made it and like it! The rum inside keeps it moist and delicious for DAYS, so I think you will be happy. 🙂

  7. Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
    |

    I love the look of this cake…yum!

  8. sprint2thetable
    |

    Beautiful post, beautiful cake.

  9. […] flour. I topped the muffins with streusel topping for texture (the same streusel I used for my American Streusel Bundt Cake, I always have extra in the freezer for stuff like this) and drizzled them with a simple molasses […]