Poinsettia Drive

Makes 4 servings

Mark Merrill

1. Make the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease, with shortening, and flour 2 (9-inch) round, 2-inch-deep cake pans. Beat the butter with a heavy-duty stand mixer at medium speed until fluffy; gradually add the sugar, beating well. Add the egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.

3. Beat the egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold about one-third of the egg whites into batter; fold in remaining egg whites in 2 batches. Spoon batter into prepared cake pans.

4. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 28 to 32 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire rack, about 1 hour.

5. Meanwhile, cut a thin slice from stem end of each of 20 to 25 whole strawberries to form a flat base; set strawberries aside.

6. Make the Dreamy Whipped Frosting: Gently stir together the mascarpone cheese and 1/3 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Beat whipping cream and vanilla and almond extracts with an electric mixer at medium speed until foamy; increase speed to medium-high, and slowly add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the whipped cream mixture into cheese mixture; gently fold in remaining whipped cream mixture in 2 batches.

7. Place 1 cooled cake layer on a cake plate or serving platter; spread top with 3/4 cup of the frosting. Working from the outer edge of cake layer toward middle, place strawberries, flat base sides down and pointed tops up, on top of frosted bottom layer.

8. Spoon about 1 1/2 cups frosting into a ziplock plastic freezer bag; snip 1 corner to make a small hole. Pipe frosting between strawberries, filling in spaces completely. Gently spread about 3/4 cup of the frosting on top of berries.

9. Place second cake layer on berry layer; spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with whole and sliced strawberries, if desired.

Here are 5 ways to model generosity to your kids.


1. Your time.

This is the ultimate expression of how much we value something or someone. Where we invest our time is one of the greatest ways we model generosity to our children. Are you helping your elderly neighbor by mowing their yard or taking them to the grocery store? Are you mentoring the young man next door who doesn’t have a dad at home?

2. Your words.

You may have heard the joke about the long-married woman who asked her husband why he never told her he loved her. “I told you I loved you the day we got married,” he replied. “and nothing has changed.” Sadly that’s kind of how many people think, but positive words of encouragement and affirmation are like water to a dry spirit. Are you generous with your words of praise and encouragement? Do you make a point of thanking others for what they do, of praising their character, and telling them how special they are? To help you get started in your own home, here are 10 Compliments Your Kids Need to Hear.

3. Your hugs.

While good verbal communication is essential, there are times when we can say more without words. We need to be careful with this one, especially with the opposite sex. We also have to be respectful of other’s space and boundaries, but physical hugs offer what some really need. I think especially of how older people, maybe who are widowed or live far from family, can be starved for physical attention. A hug can also be welcomed by someone who is grieving from a loss.

4. Your talent.

Perhaps you have expertise in the medical arena and can serve with your kids on a missions trip where you can help others. Or, maybe you have financial expertise and can help someone who doesn’t have the means with their finances. Whatever it is, your talent can be used to serve others. You can be a model of generosity to your children.

5. Your possessions.

We show that other people matter to us when we are open-handed with the things that matter most to us. A friend said the other day, “I’ll let people use my car, but I get really uptight if they want to borrow a book!” What possessions do you value most? Are you willing to share them with others?

This final point actually sums up generosity pretty well. If it’s not costing you something, in some way, then you may not be as generous as you think. Mark Merrill