My thoughts are with the people of Baltimore. I’m reading and thinking a lot, and I just want to let you know that I care. May we always be humble and willing to search ourselves for hidden bias, to analyze a problem honestly, to read and listen to develop empathy, and to reform systems in our country that are working in unconstitutional ways.
Hot Yellow Cake with Crackle Icing and a Blueberry Pile
Confession: I haven’t been to the dentist since 2009.
I KNOWWW. I know. I’m embarrassed to admit it. I’ve been insured and otherwise able to go to the dentist, so I have no good excuse. To tell the truth, I’m just terrified.
I’ve always been bad at regular dental checkups, but what really fueled the fire was when I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and drove myself to the dentist one day in high school. I hadn’t been in awhile, but I brushed my teeth twice a day and flossed… occasionally. It wasn’t the best I could do, but it also wasn’t the worst. I figured I might have a cavity but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
FIVE.
FIVE CAVITIES.
And I don’t know what sort of traffic jam, marriage problems, or bad credit my dentist was dealing with that morning, but he treated me with total disdain. I was in tears after he lambasted my dental hygiene and walked out dismissively. The only saving grace was the sweet dental technician who came in and asked some productive questions. “Are you on any medication?” she inquired.
“Yes,” I sniffled, and told her the medication.
“Oh, well that explains everything. I see this all the time. That medication dries out your mouth, and since saliva does a ton of work keeping your teeth clean, you’re more likely to get cavities when you have a dry mouth.” Bless her. She seemed to realize that it helped nothing for me to lie there feeling like a terrible person. What’s UP with that cavity guilt trip? Like, does that help anyone?
So this month, I have two scary things planned. God willing, I’m going to climb the dome of the Florence Cathedral and I’m going to go back to the dentist. I feel like one of these things will be more fun than the other.
This cake is probably not the best thing in the world to accompany my thoughts about dental care (or, actually, perhaps it’s quite apt) but it’s worth an extra tooth-brushin’ for sure. Oh my GOSH, is it amazing! A real must-make! This is my favorite cake-of-the-moment, a moist yellow version of the classic Texas Sheet Cake, topped with a caramelly frosting that cracks when you stick your fork in. I decided to add a big pile of glazed blueberries for Mike. He’s put up with so much lemon lately, after all.
Enjoy — and don’t forget to floss.
One year ago: Open Faced Chili Grilled Cheese with a Runny Egg (The Perfect Grilled Cheese)
Two years ago: How to Make Perfect, Easy-to-Peel Boiled Eggs
Three years ago: Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
Four years ago: Mini-Doughnuts for Your Coffee Cup (a creative use for yeast dough scraps!)
Five years ago: Assorted Truffles in a Chocolate Bowl
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/8 cups cake flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into chunks
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- pinch of salt
- heaping 1 1/2 cups blueberries, divided
- spritz of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- vanilla bean ice cream for serving (optional)
- To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and prepare a 10-inch oven-safe skillet sprayed with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the butter and water to a boil. In the meantime, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt before whisking in the egg, sour cream, almond extract, vanilla extract. Mix to combine. While mixing, slowly pour in the boiling butter and water mixture. Mix to combine completely. Your batter will be very runny. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 17-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in several places comes out with a few moist crumbs. While the cake bakes, prepare everything to start your frosting.
- Make the icing: When the cake is fresh out of the oven, bring the sugar, butter, evaporated milk, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat (I use the same saucepan as before). Reduce the heat and simmer, whisking constantly, for 10 minutes. The frosting will bubble like caramel most of the time and you'll notice it start to pull away from the sides of the pan as it nears the 10 minute mark. Remove the icing from the heat and whisk in the almond extract. Pour the icing over the hot cake and spread quickly, because it begins to set immediately.
- Make the blueberry pile: Heat 1/2 cup of blueberries, spritz of lemon juice, sugar, and water over medium heat (I use the same saucepan as before). Cook and stir until the berries burst and the sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the remaining berries to coat and pour in the middle of your cake (I, ahem, hollow mine out a bit first). Serve hot with vanilla bean ice cream.
Becca from ItsYummi.com
May 4, 2015 at 6:46 am (10 years ago)Julie, I had a nasty, shaming dentist for a while, too. Every time he spoke to me, I wanted to punch him in the throat!
Let’s have some of you hot cake and coffee and I’ll share the phone number for my dreamy new dentist with you 🙂
Marye
May 4, 2015 at 8:44 am (10 years ago)This looks so good. I love blueberries. As far as dentists… I’ve had that experience more than once…It’s obnoxious! There’s lots of reasons people get dental problems and some dentists just need to get over themselves.
Julie
May 4, 2015 at 9:56 am (10 years ago)I will tell you the same thing I tell myself when any dentist or doctor acts like a jerk. You are not only their patient, you are their client. If it were not for you, they would not be able to afford their nice cars and office, etc. Instead of berating you, he should be glad that you are coming to him and not making the choice to see any other dentist that you choose. Your mouth is his business, and if he doesn’t act like it, then feel free to take your business elsewhere. There is nothing to feel bad about or be ashamed about. Ever. Go into that office with your head held high and with the attitude of – if he doesn’t want my business, then I’ll find someone else who does. But I will not be treated like this. You would never accept it of someone else rendering you a service, so don’t let them bully you! You are a kind and good person who deserves to be treated well. Ok, stepping off soap box now. Haha!
Stephy
May 4, 2015 at 10:33 pm (10 years ago)I 100,000,000,000% applaud this!
Liz G
May 4, 2015 at 10:38 am (10 years ago)Oh goodness, that stinks! (The cavities, not your cake ) Going to the dentist is not my favorite, and I have an extreme sweet tooth, so that doesn’t always work out great…
Joanie @ ZagLeft
May 4, 2015 at 11:24 am (10 years ago)I hate going to the dentist too, I have flashbacks to my years as a child going and having cavities – not fun. But this cake is definitely something I would love. It looks completely delicious, especially the icing poured over a warm cake – I could go for some right now.
Anton
May 4, 2015 at 12:15 pm (10 years ago)The thing that saved me was finding a local dentist who makes a habit of working with phobic/nervous/terrified patients. It is the only reason I was able to take myself to the dentist after a ten year gap, a dentist who tried to hit me in the face and some other stuff. I wish I could take you to my dude. He looks kind of like a soap opera doctor, which doesn’t hurt, and the entire office is so gentle & caring. It made all the difference in the world for me. Best of luck in your quest.
I looooove cake with blueberries. There’s never enough blueberry desserts in my life. I look forward to making this.
shawn
May 4, 2015 at 2:49 pm (10 years ago)the cake was getting pinned based on the picture. so pretty! but your story! my goodness! there’s no reason for doctors of any kind to act that way. i was referred to a pain management doctor and i told him off. felt SO GOOD! first he berated his staff in clear sight/hearing of the waiting room. then he left a patient’s door open and gave her a hard time, too. the first thing he told me was, ‘you’re morbidly obese.’ really? i gained all this weight from my house to your office and i didn’t even notice! i’m here because i’m in pain, not for another ‘lose weight and all your problems will be solved’ speech. i gave him another few minutes and he didn’t get any nicer so i told him i didn’t need someone who violated HIPPA regulations and was rude to both staff and patients. i walked back to the receptionist and asked for my money back. life is too short for that nonsense.
Stephy
May 4, 2015 at 10:29 pm (10 years ago)I didn’t have a shamer for a dentist, I had a terrible dentist. My mom took me there because he was supposed to be a very good dentist. Perhaps he did a good job making and filling in holes. I honestly don’t know. All I know is that I ALWAYS had MULTIPLE cavities (due to lots and LOTS of medication as a child–I was sick a lot). And, every time I went to the dentist, I would have hysterics and freak out and be dragged out to the car by my poor mother. She even started telling me lies about where we were going. (what sucked about that was the way to the dentist was ALSO the way to my grandmother’s house!)
My tummy would be in knots waiting in the little waiting room. When they finally called me in, it would literally take2-3 of them to hold me down in the chair to give me the novacaine injection. Then, they would immediately start drilling my teeth–because everyone ELSE became numb immediately. However, I didn’t. It was very painful–and again I would have people holding me down in the chair while I screamed and cried and tried to escape. Funny thing is, if I said I had to go to the bathroom, they would let me go. And I would immediately lock myself in there and refuse to come out. I eventually would come out, and I would be numb and they were able to finish. But the whole process was torture.
I have since been to other dentists who listened to me when I said I was slow to numb, who have been very gentle and sympathetic. And they have done an excellent job on my teeth. I even had braces. BUT, every stinking time I need to go to the dentists, I have a tiny little panic attack and fear stretches out in my belly again.
My husband doesn’t understand it, because his childhood dentist was his favorite second cousin who was extremely good as a child’s dentist.
He thinks I am exaggerating or being melodramatic. The sad thing is, I really and truly am not.
But, dental health is supposed to be very important to our over-all health, so I try to muster up the courage to go. I did manage a good 8 year stint myself without getting near the sound of a drill or smelling that antiseptic that only dentists seem to use.
So, I understand the dread, the worry of impending shame at you own inability to keep bad things from happening in your mouth. You aren’t alone, but I know that you, like me, can do it.
Still, I’d rather have a pap-smear three times a year than ever darken the doorway of a dentist.
My advice:
MP3 player, awesome happy loud music, and use the time/stress to tone up your tush–clenching it and relaxing it is a great toning exercise!
<3 you!
Mary Reynolds
May 5, 2015 at 12:16 pm (10 years ago)You are a blessing to me. I honor your prayerful spirit.
Amy | Club Narwhal
May 6, 2015 at 8:49 am (10 years ago)Oh man, Julie, I totally feel your dentist pain! I started going to checkups every 6 months the past few years but I *still* get cavity anxiety every time. I can’t wait to hear about your dome climbing adventure (and I also want to face plant into this gorgeous cake 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
May 8, 2015 at 7:33 am (10 years ago)Julie, first off, my thoughts are the same re: the people of Baltimore. And re: the dentist, he probably was having a bad day .. there are some great ones out there. . our pediatric dentist sings to the kids as he is working on their teeth. it’s the cutest thing ever. not only do I love hearing it but he is instilling in them a great experience so that they are not terrified of going .. hoping my kids keep up the regular visits when they get older. I go to the dentist on schedule, twice a year but that’s me. My husband is like you, he hadn’t gone in SEVERAL years and finally went after I nagged him for like 8 months straight and guess how many cavities he had? 12. More than doubled your 5 right there. I think you posted on FB that you are going. . I hope you do. . dental care is really important and affects a lot. . I will be virtually holding your hand and hoping you have a great experience!!! and LOVE this cake!!! love that icing!!!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
May 8, 2015 at 3:51 pm (10 years ago)Yes to all the things.
THeresa
May 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm (10 years ago)I am a dental hygienist, have worked for the same dentist for 37 years. I know some dentist can be jurks, just like some doctors, and other professions. Talk to people before you go and if they are not nice never go back.
Charlotte
May 10, 2015 at 4:35 pm (10 years ago)Visiting a dentist is never fun. But somehow I am never bothered so much. I like the idea of blueberry pile and crackling icing. Will try this recipe soon.
Rachel
May 27, 2015 at 4:03 pm (10 years ago)OMG. I’m finally catching up on your blog and you keep hitting it out of the park in terms of “AHHH I CAN TOTALLY RELATE TO THAT!” Last year I went to the dentist for the first time in… I don’t even KNOW how long. More than five years! And I also have been insured and had no excuse whatsoever! I hoped I wouldn’t have too many cavities, because everything FELT fine inside my mouth, I floss pretty frequently, and I had NO cavities until I was 18 so I feel like I have pretty sturdy teeth…
TEN. TEN FREAKING CAVITIES!!! Seriously that makes me sound like my teeth are falling out of my head. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone but my boyfriend. OMG! I had to have two separate appointments to get them all filled! Thankfully my dentist was SO nice about it and I’m back on the every-six-months wagon… good luck to you and I hope your next appointment is with a MUCH nicer and more professional dentist 🙂
Nancy Melamed
June 6, 2015 at 10:50 pm (10 years ago)Whenever you are ready, and you have an appointment, let me know and I’ll come with you. You are stronger now, I know you can do this. Then afterwards, we’ll go for cake and coffee 🙂