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.

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