Tiny treats big on taste
Southern Living magazine says its Hummingbird Cake recipe is the most requested one it has ever printed. If you have tasted this classic Southern cake, you know why at first bite. But what you might not know is that a traditional Hummingbird Cake can have more than 700 calories in each of its 12 slices.
In these days of portion control, healthful eating and calorie awareness, where does a Hummingbird Cake fit in?
Cake bites!
That's right: Sized for two delicious bites, these little cakes are perfect for parties and socials. Not only are they precious, they also taste deliciously divine. Most mini cupcakes are dry little bombs that hardly satisfy the sweet tooth. But a Hummingbird Cake, with its moist, dense texture, is perfect to reduce and go “mini.”
I divided my Great-Aunt Thelma's Hummingbird Cake recipe by half and then baked the batter in mini muffin tins lined with paper cups. I also used one-fourth the amount of frosting required to frost the entire traditional three-layer cake. I'm thrilled with the result and am confident you will be as well! Enjoy!
• Alicia Ross is the co-author of “Desperation Dinners!” ,“Desperation Entertaining!” and “Cheap. Fast. Good!” Write her at Kitchen Scoop, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106, or tellus@kitchenscoop.com. More at kitchenscoop.com.