Year In Review North Escambia’s Biggest Stories Of 2009: January
December 28, 2009
NorthEscambia.com is looking back at 2009 with our “Year in Review” series. Each day, we will review the biggest stories of 2008. Today, we take a look at the biggest stories of January 2009.
At their first meeting of the year, the Town of Century voted to spend $478 on a lawyer to determine if they should collect a $629 sewer bill from an elderly resident. The woman, according to the council, had not paid for sewer service since 1999.
A new top cop took office in Escambia County. David Morgan was sworn in before a standing room only crowd.
Firefighters from Century and McDavid were call to Milton to help control a massive fire that destroyed almost an entire city block of the town’s historic district.
The Town of Century withdrew its support for a plan to consolidate Century, Pensacola and Escambia County under one unified government, with council members saying that they were misled by the group Escambia All For One. In December 2008, the Century Town Council approved a resolution identical to resolutions passed recently by Escambia County and the City of Pensacola that simply says that Century supports moving forward in exploring the governmental consolidation sought by Escambia All For One. But the council rescinded that resolution on a recommendation from Mayor Freddie McCall.
Ashely Cunningham was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School. Other award winners were Clarissa Ross, 1st runner-up; Ariel Holland, 2nd runner-up, and poise and appearance, and Miss Hospitality; Savanna VanderPol, 3rd runner-up; Cheyenne Godwin, physical fitness, and Miss Congeniality.
ECUA took over residential trash collection in North Escambia, but not without their share of problems. A large number of people were unable to recycle as promised when pickups were dropped from twice per week to once. ECUA had great difficulty in getting the recycling cans delivered in a timely fashion.
Christopher Patterson of Molino was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of his one year old daughter Ali Jean Paterson in late September, 2006. Ali Jean Paterson died on November 26, 2006, from burns she received two weeks earlier when she was left unattended in a hot bath, according to authorities.
It was announced that thee days of Alabama students attending school in Escambia County, Florida schools were coming to and end, and students from Escambia, Florida, including those from the closing Carver/Century K-8 School, will not be allowed to attend school in Alabama. Escambia County, Alabama, rescinded an agreement from the two Escambia, ending an even student for student exchange.
A federal judge issued preliminary injunction against any policy or practice that promotes prayer or religion in the Santa Rosa County School District. The ACLU requested documents concerning prayer from Escambia County Schools.
Escambia Commissioners began to talk about raising the gas tax in the county to fund ECAT and other public transportation options.
New football districts were announced in Florida, with Northview dropping back to District 1A with Jay High School.
On Election Day, we elected the nation’s first black president, In North Escambia, 6,311 people voted for John McCain while 2,202 voted for Barack Obama.
People gathered across North Escambia to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with parades and programs, including a large gathering in Century.
Despite passionate pleas from several Century residents, the Escambia County School Board’s ax fell on Carver/Century K-8 school as the board vote to redistrict all of the student out of the school to Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools. A NorthEscambia.com investigation found that most students that lived in the Carver/Century district did not attend the school, taking advantage of the fact that the school did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress in order to transfer to a neighboring school.
Modular classrooms totaling $1 million were announced for Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools. The classrooms were to provide extra space for the Carver/Century students being redistricting to the schools in the fall.
Northview senior Amber Holland was named as the new Miss Northview High School. First Runner Up was Sarah Killam, a sophomore. Second Runner Up was Katie Mann, also a sophomore.
Legendary football coach Carl Madison returned to sidelines as the offensive coordinator for the Tate Aggies. From his first coaching job at Ernest Ward High School at age 26, Madison went on to become one of America’s most winning coaches. Madison, age 77, was 326-129-7 over a 45 year coaching career, making him number two on Florida’s all-time coaching victories list and in the top 30 in the entire nation.
Production came to a halt at the Jay Oil Field, costing about 30 employees their job less than a month after Christmas. The nation’s poor financial state and a drop in oil prices were to blame.
The local legislative delegation put their stamp of approval on a bill that would create a 25-member commission to draft a consolidated government proposal. The consolidation would roll Escambia County, Century and Pensacola governments into one. The group supporting consolidation, Escambia All For One, held a meeting in Walnut Hill to talk about their plan. No one attended.
It was practice, practice for the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders as they prepared to compete for a national championship in Orlando.
The Town of Century voted to return code enforcement to the town, agreeing to allow Escambia County provide the service. Code officers promised to be proactive and not complaint driven.
People were on the lookout for a phony cop pulling people over in Escambia County. He was never arrested.
Century was still holding onto a thread of hope for an electric car manufacturing plant, but more tax liens against the developers of the project surfaced
January was time to dig out the birth certificates and think about spring — it was ball registration time in Century, Molino and Walnut Hill.
In late January, the state ethics commission found that former Mayor Evelyn Hammond misused her position and recommended a $3,000 fine. Hammond used her position to retaliate against Century Little League and its president, Dabney Longhorne, when that organization failed to hire her son as chief umpire, according to the ethics commission findings.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Merry Christmas! The Story Of The Greatest Gift Of All
December 25, 2009
It’s the greatest story we have ever reported here on NorthEscambia.com, and it is the greatest story that we will ever report. It’s a story that happened over 2,000 years ago today, but it is also a story that impacts each of our lives each and every day here in North Escambia.
Our lead story today is one that was first delivered by an angelic choir. It was the news that changed the world…a Savior had been born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was a humble scene. A little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
It was the world’s first ever Christmas gift on that very first Christmas morning, the gift of a Savior so that we might all have eternal life.
It’s good news for all of us on this Christmas. Good news that Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus, was born. It’s story that was reported by Luke in the New Testament. It’s reprinted below for you to read, and for you to share the Good News with someone you care about this Christmas.
From our NorthEscambia.com family to you and yours, Merry Christmas!
- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
- (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
- And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
- To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
- And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
- And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
- And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
- And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
- And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Rescued From River Flood Waters: Logjam’s New Home For Christmas
December 25, 2009
Rescued from the flood waters of the Escambia River, a little dog dubbed Logjam has a new home, and a new name, for Christmas.
Our Christmas tale of Logjam begins with Carl Godwin, Jr. About a month ago, Carl, Jr. heard his parents, Carl and Sylvia Godwin of Century, talking about the little dog down by the river at Fischer Landing, just up the Escambia River from the Highway 4 Bridge.
“He has such a big heart where animals are concerned,” Sylvia said of her son, explaining that his passion for animals led him to build a small tepee type house for the little dog to have some shelter from the winter’s cold and rain.
“We tried our best to get her so we could make sure she was taken care of, but could never get her to come to us,” Sylvia said. The little dog spent her days down by the river, returning to the handmade tepee house for food that the Godwins and others would leave.
All seemed well for the little dog in our story — until December’s flash floods. Her house was high and dry from the flood waters, up on the roadway that was once the approach to the old Highway 4 bridge. But the story of our little canine took a drastic turn thanks to nature’s fury.
The night of December 14, it rained. And rained, and rained. The river was rising quickly.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission Officers Steve Hoomes and Gary Ridaught were patrolling near the Escambia River at Fisher Landing in Century. The officers heard barking from the river and investigated. They located the source of the barking under the Highway 4 Bridge where a large number of logs had created a log jam. A small dog had somehow become stranded on the logs piled against the bridge pilings.
With the recent rains, the river was extremely swollen and the current was swift. There was no way the dog could swim the distance to shore. The officers sought the assistance of a citizen who arrived at the boat ramp with a small boat. They maneuvered the boat to the log jam and “rescued the very wet, but grateful dog”. The dog was taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter, where shelter employees named her “Logjam”.
But Logjam was not destined to spend her Christmas in the doggie pound, thanks to the Christmas wish of Heather Hodges of west Pensacola. Heather’s Christmas wish was — you guessed it — a dog.
Gina Hodges said her husband Bob and son Bobby went to the Escambia County Humane Society on Saturday, December 19, looking for that perfect Christmas pooch.
“They immediately fell for Logjam,” Gina said. “The workers told them her story and they were hooked! We picked her up the next day after she had been spayed and she fit so well with our other dog and family.”
“Of course I didn’t like the name ‘Logjam’ – too much of a name for such a tiny creature, so we changed it to Lulu,” Gina said.
The Hodges family knew the story of Logjam — now called Lulu — and they discovered she was a little famous after a December 21 story on NorthEscambia.com. That’s where our tale, already full of coincidences, become a little more, well, coincidental.
“When I shared the story from the website with my husband, he knew both (Fish and Wildlife) officers involved from when he was a Reserve Game Officer many years ago!” Gina said. “Such a small world.”
“My heart breaks to think of the trials she’s endured in her short life (they say she’s about one), but I’m so glad we found each other,” Gina said.
Like all good Christmas stories, this one has a happy ending on this Christmas, as Lulu enjoyed her first Christmas morning with her new family — high and dry, a long way from the unpredictable waters — and the log jams — of the Escambia River.
Pictured top: Lulu — the dog briefly known as Logjam after being rescued from the flooded Escambia River — at her new home with Snickers. Pictured top inset: The tepee like house that Carl Godwin, Jr. built for the Lulu when she lived near Fischer Landing in Century. Pictured middle inset: A log jam against the Highway 4 bridge over the Escambia River. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 25, 2009
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with some family time favorites.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. water
1 c. milk
a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Tate Band Makes Appearance On National TV
December 24, 2009
The Tate High School’s Show Band of the South appeared on national television this morning on ABC.
The Tate Band was the only high school band in the country invited to perform in the annual parade that aired earlier this morning on WEAR.
The 155 members of the Tate Band traveled to Orlando the first weekend of December for the parade that was filmed December 6 in Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park for the Christmas morning showing. The band was also invited to participate in opening scenes for the parade.
The band performed a medley of Christmas favorites, including “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” and “Jingle Bells.”
Several of the band members and parents had the opportunity to be “extras” in the audience as the Jonas Brothers performed.
Each year, Disney invites bands to apply for the chance to appear in the nationally televised parade. Tate Band Director Joe Hooten submitted an application back in January based upon the band’s 37 years of superior rates, their 2008 appearance in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland as well as video footage and pictures from local events.
Pictured top: The Tate High School Show Band of the South performs in the Disney Christmas Parade on December 6. The parade will air on national television Christmas morning. Pictured inset: Tate band member Nick Kelly (gray shirt) reaches toward Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Apples, Sweet Potatoes And A Quick Breakfast Brunch
December 24, 2009
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with a couple of desserts and a quick breakfast.
Today’s recipes feature an Apple Caramel Pudding and a Sweet Tater Cheesecake. We also have a Farmer’s Omelet Casserole that’s easy to cook and would provide a hearty Christmas morning breakfast or brunch for everyone.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Farmer’s Omelet Casserole
by Terri Brown
- 3 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup chopped green pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 18 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups chopped cooked ham
- 1 1/4 cups chopped tomato, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse grind is best)
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Cook potato, 3/4 cup green pepper and onion in oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly, 8 min. or until tender. Cool potatoes if preparing the night before. Combine potato mixture, eggs, ham, 1 cup tomato, salt and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 325 for 40 minutes or until golden. Top with remaining 1/4 cup green pepper and 1/4 cup tomato. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
Apple Caramel Pudding
by Janet Smith
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
Combine first five ingredients; then add apples and milk. Blend thoroughly and pour into 8″ square pan.
Combine:
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Mix sugar, boiling water and butter and pour over the batter already in pan. Bake
at 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. Seeve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Very simple but rich dessert. Serves 4 to 6
Sweet Tater Cheesecake
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup whipping cream (cool whip will work if no cream handy)
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed (NOT CANNED)
.
Graham Cracker-Pecan Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 425°.
Crust:
Combine crust ingredients thoroughly; press into a 10-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth; beat in flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Beat cream and well-mashed sweet potatoes in on medium speed of a hand held mixer just until well-combined. Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; lower heat to 275° and bake 1 hour longer. Turn heat off and leave in the oven to cool for several hours, or cool on a wire rack. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Christmas Recipes: Red Velvet Cake, Holiday Dips
December 23, 2009
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. Over the next few days, NorthEscambia.com will share some submitted holiday favorite recipes.
You just can’t go wrong with a red velvet cake, and we have a great recipe today from Shirley Boone. We also have a couple of dip recipes just in time for your Christmas entertaining — a black bean dip and a hot cream cheese dip.To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Today’s recipes are from the Molino Homemakers Club.
Red Velvet Cake
by Shirley Boone
CAKE
- 1 ½ cups oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups cake flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp. cocoa
- 1 oz bottle red food coloring
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Add food coloring. Add vinegar to buttermilk and pour into oil mixture. Add vanilla. In small bowl combine cake flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Mix with other ingredients until well blended. Pour into 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees. Two pans bake for 30-35 minutes, three pans bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and wrap in plastic wrap until cool.
ICING
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1 stick Parkay margarine, softened
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all together until creamed. Spread on cooled cake.
Black Bean Dip
by Mona Brown
- 2 cans black beans, drained
- 2 cans shoe peg corn, drained
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- Sprinkle of garlic powder
- Mix ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup sugar.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Marinate for 24 hours. Drain and add 8 ounces of feta cheese. Serve with Scoops.
Hot Cream Cheese Dip
from the Molino Homemakers Club
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup cooked crumbled bacon
- 3 stalks green onion diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients and pour into a 9×9 glass pan or pie plate. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm with Chicken in a Biscuit crackers.
Photos: Century Care Center Celebrates Christmas
December 23, 2009
The Christmas season has been a busy and exiting time at the Century Care Center.
“We want to express our appreciation for this wonderful community, and all they do for our residents. I thought times would be tough, due to the economy. People were more generous than ever with their time and gifts. A big thank you from staff and residents at Century Care Center to all the generous and caring members of our community,” said Mae Hildreth, Century Care activities director.
Covenant Hospital provided goodies as well as arts and crafts projects during the “Covenant Hospice Social Hour”. Often, Century Care residents will make the crafts as gifts for hospice patients.
The Flomaton High School Beta Club performed Christmas carols and brings gifts for every resident. The Sensational Tones of Joy entertained and uplifted the residents.
There were lots of gifts provided by the community and staff, a visit with Santa Claus and Mary Kay gifts from Goodie Odom.
Century Care Center has also been visited during the Christmas season by many carolers and other visitors with cards and other gifts.
Click here for more pictures from Christmas celebrations and events at Century Care Center.
Pictured top: Celebrating Christmas as the Century Care Center. Pictured below: The Flomaton High School Beta Club at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Good Gift: Local History Book With 2,000 Photos
December 22, 2009
If you are looking for the perfect last minute Christmas gift, consider a new book that tells the history of North Escambia and surrounding areas with about 2,000 photographs.
The book is called “A Pictorial History Volume II”, and it includes Century and northeastern Escambia County, Florida; Flomaton Alabama; and Jay and northern Santa Rosa County; and surrounding areas.
The photos were compiled by Jerry Fischer and Jerry Simmons and published by the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society.
“One lady that looked at the book got tears in her eyes because it brought back so many memories,” said Fischer.
People — from dozens of old school photos — make up a portion of the book.
“There are a lot of people in the book,” Fischer said. “Probably half of them are already passed away. It’s just a lot of memories.”
The book is available from Alger-Sullivan Historical Society members and at the Leach House Museum at 610 4th Street in the Century Historical District from 9 until 1 Monday-Friday. The book can also be ordered by mail (but not for Christmas delivery). Send a check for $30.00 plus $5.00 postage and packaging (padded envelope) to the ASHS, P.O. Box 1002, Century 32535.
For more information, contact Jerry Simmons at (251) 765-2629 or Jerry Fischer at (850) 256-3980.
Pictured above: The Jackson Theater in 1951. Pictured below: Jay High School undefeated team from 1943-1944. The photographs are two of about two thousand in a new book released by the Escambia County Historical Society. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Sweet Potato Casserole, Cameo Cake
December 22, 2009
The holidays are a time when a lot of people head into the kitchen to cook for family and friends. Over the next few days, NorthEscambia.com will share some submitted holiday favorite recipes.
You can save your marshmallows for S’mores. Today, we are featuring a scrumptious sweet potato casserole with a traditional crunchy pecan topping.
We are also featuring a Cameo cake. With white chocolate and plenty of cream cheese, this one is sure to be a family favorite this Christmas.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Today’s recipes are from the Molino Homemakers Club.
Sweet Potato Casserole
by Terri Brown
- 3 cups sweet potatoes
- 1 heaping cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ stick Parkay margarine
- 1 cup milk
Mash potatoes, add remaining ingredients mixing well. Pour into a greased 9 inch square pan.
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup granulated brown sugar
- ½ cup plain flour
- ½ stick melted margarine
Mix ingredients. Sprinkle over potatoes. Bake 30-40 minutes at 325 degrees.
Cameo Cake With White Chocolate Frosting
by Mary Elizabeth Corley
CAKE
- 3-1/2 cups plain flour divided
- 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 2-1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cut up, no substitutions)
- 3/4 cup water
- 4 ounces white chocolate squares, coarsely chopped
- 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
- 4 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour three 9-inch round cake pans: tap out excess flour. Line bottoms with wax paper. Combine 1/2 cup flour and pecans in small bowl. Combine remaining 3 cups flour, granulated sugar, soda and salt in large bowl. Set both aside. Bring butter and water to a boil in medium saucepan, stirring occasionally until butter melts. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until melted. Stir in buttermilk, eggs and vanilla until blended. Gradually whisk chocolate mixture into dry ingredients until smooth: Fold in pecan mixture. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Unmold cakes onto racks and cool completely.
WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
- 4 ounces white chocolate squares, coarsely chopped
- 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 3 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, cut up
- 3 cups confections sugar, sifted
- 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans or
- Chopped toasted pecans for garnish
Microwave chocolate in small bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes until almost melted: Stir until smooth. Cool slightly 10 minutes. Beat cream cheese and butter in large mixing bowl on medium/high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar and vanilla: beat scraping down sides of bowl with rubber spatula, until frosting is completely smooth: add pecans, refrigerate 1 hour until frosting is firm and spreadable.
Place cake layer on serving plate and spread with about 3/4 cup frosting: top with second adding frosting then third layer and sides of cake using all frosting. (Optional: Garnish with pecans around edge if desired.) Cover cake loosely and refrigerate overnight. (Can be made ahead. Wrap well and freeze up to 1 month. )