Hot Milk Cake in the Cosmos

 "Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone, all her lovely companions are faded and gone." -Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)

 At the end of summer , when the cosmos was at the end , she would pick  what was left in the garden. And that would  not only signify blackberry cream pie, but Hot milk cake.

 Hot milk cake is one of those natural easy cakes. Mum would top it with cream, or a coconut topping that you broil at the very end of baking.

 INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup milk, 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, pinch salt, 3 large  eggs, room temperature, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup ( scant) sugar.

 Scald Mild. Set aside. Beat eggs till tick and lemon coloured. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

 Be sure to combine flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

 Add the sugar gradually.

 Mix in warm milk and dry ingredients, and pour into a greased cake pan.

 You can also use a greased cast iron skillet. It looks cooler than  a cake pan. I don't have one, so just  go with the flow.

 Now you just hang around  and converse with a  friend, for about  25-30 minutes.

 "Fair flowers are not left standing by the wayside long. " 
                                                         -German proverb.

 In the meantime, if you are still waiting for the hot milk cake to bake, put together the topping. Its kind of a streusel .....I would make this  in mass quantity to give away as  gifts at Christmas.

 TOPPING: 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, butter, the size of an egg, 2 tbsp cream or milk, 1 cup flaked coconut.

 Combine all together. Set aside till cake is done.

 "As I hold the flower in the hand and think how to describe to it, I realize  how poor a creature I am, how important are words in the presence of such perfection." -Celia Thaxter (1835-1894)

 When cake is done. Sprinkle with the streusel topping. Broil in the oven, or with a torch, till brown and bubbly.  It's done. Cut and serve while still warm.

The Cosmos are all gone now. Ripped out at the end because they weren't blooming anymore and nights have grown chill, even though days are warm enough.

 The last ones drooping at me just before they were pulled out, heavy with dew. Beautiful things.

 "For the Infinite has sowed his name  in the heavens with burning stars, but on earth  he has sowed His name in the tender flowers."
                               -Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)