Picnic Wedding

by Stephanie

For my daughter's wedding we had an outdoor wedding at a park, she loves nature. We didn't want to spend a lot of money on catering so everyone who was invited was asked to bring something, sort of like a potluck. This is something our family has done for a long time, get together and have a barbeque or a lunch together and everyone brings something.

We used a recipe that we've always used for cake, one that everyone likes, it's very simple.

2 1/2 C. sifted cake flour
3 Tbsp. powdered milk
3 Tsp. baking powder
1 Tsp. salt
1 3/4 C. sugar
2/3 C. white shortening
1 C. water
1 Tsp. white vanilla
1/4 Tsp. almond flavoring
5 egg whites, unbeaten

Sift the flour, dry milk, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the shortening, water, vanilla and almond flavorings. Beat at medium high speed 2 minutes, add egg whites and beat 1 more minute. Pour in 2 layer cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for at least 1 hour. Spread icing over first cake layer. Add 2nd cake layer and decorate the top.

WEDDING CAKE ICING:

1/2 C. shortening
1 box powdered sugar
2 egg whites
1/2 Tsp. vanilla
1/4 Tsp. almond extract

Beat egg whites and creamed shortening. Add sugar, vanilla and almond extract.