Big Daddy Cake

I thought I would share a recipe with you this afternoon.

One that is dear to my heart.

It's called "Big Daddy Cake"

*smile*

Here’s the story behind “Big Daddy Cake”:

My favorite Grandpa, Grandpa Harris, was affectionately called “Big Daddy”

by my Mom and her four sisters.

He was a big, sweet man who so enjoyed the outdoors

and deeply loved his family.

He owned a huge tree farm (white pine or jack pine, I can’t remember right now),

known as “By Gully Acres”, about 17 miles outside of town.

When I was growing up, almost every Saturday morning in the summer,

he would stop by our house on his way out to the tree farm

and pick up me and my two brothers to go with him for the day.

So many of my fondest childhood memories

are centered around Grandpa Harris, “Big Daddy”.

I’m not sure if my Grandma came up with this recipe

or if she found it somewhere,

but Grandpa loved it SO much, that it became known as “Big Daddy Cake”.

Though Grandpa Harris many years ago went to be with Jesus,

every time I bake this cake,

I can almost see his twinkling blue eyes,

hear his boisterous laughter -

and it make me think of one of my all-time favorite people.

My Grandpa Harris.

Oldest son mixing up muffins one morning

Big Daddy Cake

1 c. dates

1 tsp. baking soda

1 c. hot water

Pour hot water over dates and baking soda and let stand 5 minutes.

Mix together:

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

pinch of salt

Add above ingredients to the date/soda/water mixture; and pour into a buttered 9x13 pan.

Sprinkle with 1 package chocolate chips, 1/2 c. chopped walnuts and 1/4 c. granulated sugar.

Bake @ 350* for 25 minutes.

Let cool and serve.

Whenever I think of my Grandpa Harris, this verse comes to mind:

Proverbs 22:1

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,

and loving favor rather than silver or gold."