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CAKE.

The moment has come. THE ONE. That you've all been waiting for. It's true.

RECIPES.

All Brazilians can make cake. All Brazilians can make GOOD cake. All Brazilians rock.

Because of their rocky-ness, I also need to say that Brazilians don't usually put oven temperatures or cooking times on their recipes. It's this genetic Brazilian thing where they all know when cakes are done. Actually, I don't think I've EVER seen a recipe with cooking instructions. So I've put guesstimates on everything - just keep checking to see if it's done. You usually know it's ready when you can smell the cake.

I'd say the most common cake layer (including the one shown above in that mouth-watering display of refined sugar) is Pao de Lo (with a ~ over the "a" and an accent over the "o.") It is very moist and sweet. This recipe makes ONE layer - but it's usually used in a 2-4 layer cake.

PAO DE LO

• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• pinch of salt

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time with the salt. Then stir in flour carefully. Bake in a 350 degree oven until done - about 20 minutes? (Add 1/2 cup of baking cocoa or chocolate drink mix like Nesquick to make it a chocolate layer.)

Make a filling and/or topping with either chocolate custard, mousse, whipped cream, or cook a can of sweetened condensed milk with 4 Tbsp. of Nesquick, stirring constantly, until it begins to come away from the pan. (The above picture has two layers - one custard, another mousse. And the topping is just chocolate whipped cream.)

CREAMY COCONUT CAKE

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups freshly grated coconut
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla

In a blender, blend everything but the flour and baking powder for five minutes. Add flour and baking powder slowly. Pour in a greased, floured pan and microwave on high for ten minutes. Let rest five minutes before turning out of the pan.

For a topping, cook 1 cup of toasted coconut with 1 cup of water and 4 Tbsp. of sugar. Pour on top of the cake.

CRAZY CHOCOLATE CAKE ("Negra Maluca")

Mix and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes:

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup chocolate milk mix (like Nesquik)

When done, poke top of cake with a fork all over the place. Pour a full glass of chocolate milk over it and make sure the cake soaks it all up. Refrigerate for a few hours. Don't forget to make a filling or topping! Brazilians NEVER leave their cakes dry.

STRAWBERRY TEMPTATION

• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup chocolate drink mix like Nesquick
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups oil

Beat the egg whites and reserve. Beat sugar and yolks well and then add the rest. Fold in egg whites. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Once cooled, slice the cake into two layers. (The layers should be thin.)

FILLING:

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 liter of milk
• 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 box of strawberries
  

Beat in a blender the gelatin and water, then add everything but the whipped cream. Fold in the whipped cream. Top cake with chocolate and strawberries.

Let me know if you make something - I want to hear your results!