This too shall pass y’all, but until then, let us bake cake.

That’s my motto for getting through the most stressful of times. The last time my world was this off center was over 10 years ago, when our angel baby Serene was in the NICU. During that time, it was baking that gave me a sense of peace. So here I am again, pulling out my beautiful bundt pan and baking up some peace in my world. But this time I invite you to join me.

A couple of weeks ago I finally baked that pound cake that hubby has been asking and asking for. The one with 6 eggs, a whole pound of butter, AND cream cheese. The one that smells like somebody’s southern grandma baked it, has a hint of lemon, a golden crust worth fighting over, is moist enough to stick to the back of a fork, and only makes an appearance on holidays. It was a few moments of pure bliss in the kitchen. So of course I had to do it again. But this time I went with chocolate. My Spelman sis Denise mentioned the old fashioned mayonnaise cake on her Facebook page, and someone had never heard of it. That’s when I realized, hey, this is the perfect time to bring that old fave back in style. No eggs, no milk, no butter, no problem. The hoarders have bought up almost every ingredient needed to make an amazing cake. But if you have mayo, you have half the battle won. Talk about a rich, moist, decadent cake! And I had to take it a step further and add a homemade caramel sauce, chopped pecans and shredded coconut. Why Jesus?? I posted the pic and folks flooded me with questions. And I don’t blame them.

So instead of answering the questions, I thought it would be fun, and therapeutic, for us all to get together quarantine style and bake this cake via Zoom. And on top of that I invited a friend to bake the vegan version so you’ll have options. Ain’t that nice?

First you’ll need a show stopper bundt pan. You can use the one I used, called the Heritage bundt pan, or choose one from the nice variety at Target. Make sure you get a good cooking spray with flour. There’s nothing more disappointing than not being able to get your showstopper cake to slide out of the pan.

Next you’ll need the recipe. Once you register to bake with us I’ll send that right over to you.

And you’ll need a computer or phone with good internet service, because we want to see you bake!

Guess what – you don’t need a mixer. Nope. This is a one bowl stir kind of cake. It doesn’t get any simpler.

Be sure to mark your calendar. What’s nice is we’re baking the day before Easter, so you’ll have your Easter cake to present to your quarantine buddies, or to yourself. Either way it will be beautiful and delicious. So what do you say? Are you in? If so, I’ll see you in your kitchen!