KITCHEN CONVERSATION: #4

This week I bake a maple cinnamon cake. I remember the cinnamon toast my grandmother made me each morning for breakfast and the Fox made-for-television movie “Doing Time on Maple Drive.” In the second installment this week, I tell you why I’m naming the cake for Flannery O’Connor and Betty Hester with whom she corresponded for 9 years.

BETTY FLANNERY CAKE

preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a mixing bowl

3/4 cup softened butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

In one bowl mix

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

In another bowl

2 eggs

1/2 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the butter and brown sugar with the mixer on medium. When blended, fold in a third of flour mixture, then 1/2 egg mixture and repeating that until all the ingredients have been blended together. Pour into buttered baking pan.

Cook for 35 to 40 minutes

GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract