The Lopsided Christmas Cake (30 page)

“What a glorious day this has been,” Thelma whispered to Joseph.

“Jah. Even our wedding cake is perfect for us,” he joked, pointing to the lopsided cake sitting before them.

She laughed. “This time it’s Elma’s fault. She said the cake batter didn’t rise evenly, but I have to wonder if she made it this way on purpose to remind us of how we first met.”

“You could be right. And speaking of Elma…” Joseph gestured to the table where Thelma’s twin sister sat. “Who’s that man she’s talking to?”

“Oh, you mean the one sitting between her and Delbert?”

“Jah, I don’t recognize him.”

“That’s Delbert’s cousin, Myron Bontrager. He’s visiting Delbert, so that’s why he’s here.”

Joseph’s eyebrows scrunched together. “I’ve heard Dell mention his cousin once or twice, saying that he, too, is a bachelor, but this is the only time I’ve ever seen him. From what I understand, he lives in southern Indiana. I wonder if this is his first visit to the area.”

Thelma shook her head. “No, it’s not. When Delbert introduced Myron to me awhile ago, he said he’d been here last October.”

“Really? Dell never mentioned that.”

“And here’s the surprising part.”

Joseph leaned closer.

“Myron is the other person who was bidding on our lopsided Christmas cake at the cooking show.”

“What?” Joseph’s eyes widened.

“It’s true. When Myron saw our lopsided wedding cake today, he admitted he was the bidder and said he’d only wanted the cake so he could meet me and Elma.” Thelma smiled, watching her sister and Myron in deep conversation. “When Myron realized it was his own cousin he’d been bidding against, he finally gave up and let Delbert win. Delbert didn’t know Myron was there that day until he confessed it to him later on.”

“I’m glad he let Delbert win.” Looking lovingly at Thelma, Joseph added, “I wonder if there’s a chance that your sister and Dell’s cousin could get together. They’re both smiling pretty good right now.”

Thelma reached under the table and took hold of her groom’s hand. “Now wouldn’t it be something if our lopsided cake brought another couple together?”

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and set aside. In mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until fluffy, scraping down sides of bowl frequently. Slowly beat in flour mixture alternately with milk. Mix batter thoroughly and pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Cool. Prick cakes several times with fork and leave in pans. Dissolve red Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water and carefully pour over one cake. Dissolve green Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water and pour over other cake. Refrigerate overnight or for a few hours.

Take cakes out of pans using spatula and put on plate, one on top of the other, spreading filling between layers (see recipe below). Frost cake with Cool Whip. Decorate with red and green sprinkles if desired.

In bowl, mix cream cheese and Cool Whip until thoroughly combined.

New York Times,
award-winning author, Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties.

Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband Richard have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at
www.wandabrunstetter.com
.

Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr. and their three children, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach.

O
THER
B
OOKS BY
W
ANDA
E. B
RUNSTETTER

Adult Fiction

T
HE
P
RAIRIE
S
TATE
F
RIENDS
S
ERIES
The Decision
The Gift

T
HE
Q
UILT
C
LUB
S
ERIES
The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club
The Tattered Quilt
The Healing Quilt

T
HE
D
ISCOVERY
S
AGA
Goodbye to Yesterday
The Silence of Winter
The Hope of Spring
The Pieces of Summer
A Revelation in Autumn
A Vow for Always

K
ENTUCKY
B
ROTHERS
S
ERIES
The Journey
The Healing
The Struggle

B
RIDES OF
L
EHIGH
C
ANAL
S
ERIES
Kelly’s Chance
Betsy’s Return
Sarah’s Choice

I
NDIANA
C
OUSINS
S
ERIES
A Cousin’s Promise
A Cousin’s Prayer
A Cousin’s Challenge

S
ISTERS OF
H
OLMES
C
OUNTY
S
ERIES
A Sister’s Secret
A Sister’s Test
A Sister’s Hope

B
RIDES OF
W
EBSTER
C
OUNTY
S
ERIES
Going Home
Dear to Me
On Her Own
Allison’s Journey

D
AUGHTERS OF
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY
S
ERIES
The Storekeeper’s Daughter
The Quilter’s Daughter
The Bishop’s Daughter

B
RIDES OF
L
ANCASTER
C
OUNTY
S
ERIES
A Merry Heart
Looking for a Miracle
Plain and Fancy
The Hope Chest

Amish White Christmas Pie
Lydia’s Charm
Love Finds a Home
Love Finds a Way
Woman of Courage

Children’s Fiction

D
OUBLE
T
ROUBLE
What a Pair!
Bumpy Ride Ahead
Bubble Troubles
Green Fever
Humble Pie

Rachel Yoder—Always Trouble Somewhere 8-Book Series

The Wisdom of Solomon

Nonfiction

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook
Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook Vol. 2
The Best of Amish Friends Cookbook Collection
Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Desserts Cookbook Wanda
E. Brunstetter’s Amish Christmas Cookbook
The Simple Life Devotional
A Celebration of the Simple Life Devotional
Portrait of Amish Life–with Richard Brunstetter
Simple Life Perpetual Calendar–with Richard Brunstetter