Cake Ingredients: 

• tsp of lemon zest
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 2 sticks of butter
• 1 tbsp of rum
• 12oz. can of evaporated milk
• a pinch of salt
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp of almond extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of butter 
• 1 tbsp of vanilla extract
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup of milk

Directions: Combine sugar, eggs, butter, and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl.   Using an electric mixer, beat those ingredients on low speed for about 5 mins. Turn off the mixer and stir in rum, carnation milk, and flour. Scrape the sides and begin mixing again on medium-high speed. Mix well for about 25 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, and almond extract and stir well. Preheat oven at 300 degrees.  Grease the baking pan and pour the battered mixture only halfway to allow room for the cake to rise. Bake the cake for about 35 minutes.  To test, insert a knife or toothpick in the center of the cake. It is fully baked, if it comes out clean. This is a recipe for Haitian cake. A cake that is usually made and served for special occasions. My mother is Haitian and has raised my brother and I to be proud of our cultural. One way that she does this is through food. She makes a lot of authentic Haitian food. I can’t remember a time when I have not ate the food from my mother’s country.  This particular cake is often made for special occasions.

– Dean Grandoit

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant