It's Raining Dessert!

It’s Raining Dessert!

Written and Illustrated by Xiaohan Brunton

This book is dedicated to my fabulous teacher (Sarah) who loves baking.

Maple Leaf Writing Project

Brattleboro, VT

Copyright 2018

Part 1

Delphine’s parents were out on date night and her brother was upstairs playing with Magic The Gathering cards. Delphine was standing in the middle of the kitchen. This happened a lot, her parents being out and her brother Tyler, always doing something upstairs with his Magic cards or something else.

Delphine always ended up in the kitchen baking. It was her passion. Someday she wanted to be a famous baker known world wide. Delphine wanted to inspire people and do great things.

Tonight it was dark and stormy. Rain crashed down on the roof as Delphine stood in the kitchen. Max her cat, came purring and jumped onto the counter.

“Hey Max,” Delphine said, “what should I make for dessert?”

As if Max knew exactly what Delphine had asked he went right on over to her cookbook. Delphine watched as Max pawed open her book and promptly went to sleep, on the book. Delphine walked over and picked Max up, reading the recipe. Lemon souffle with a lemon whipped cream.

“Great choice,” said Delphine to Max who was looking slightly annoyed from having been woken up from sleep. “I hope I have all the ingredients it needs.” Delphine went and checked. “Yes, we do,” she clarified to the still grumpy Max.

Delphine mixed and mixed and soon the souffles were popped into the oven. Delphine didn’t know why but her souffles always sank in the middle. This time she wanted, no, really wanted the middles to stay up. They always just sank down. The souffles always tasted good but the souffles didn’t look like souffles. As Delphine prepared the whipped cream Max came over and sniffed then purred contentedly. Soon her parents would be home and she needed the whipped cream to be finished.

Working faster Delphine finished up the whipped cream and went to check on the souffles. Did they rise? Would they stay up? Slowly she peered into the oven.

Triumphantly Delphine shouted,“my souffles rose!”

Delphine took them out of the oven and put the whipped cream in a swirl on top of them placing a lemon on top of everybody’s except Tyler’s. He didn’t like a lot of things and sour was definitely one of them. Every time he tasted something he didn’t like he’d over exaggerate and look like he was going to barf. As she stepped back and looked at the finished souffles Delphine decided something was missing, something important. Ah ha, she thought we need some ice cream, so she quickly made some lemon ice cream and placed it in 3 yellow bowls. Her brother had cookie dough ice cream.

As she was finishing up cleaning the kitchen her parents came home.

“MMM, Delphine what have you made?” her mother asked.

“It’s a surprise,” she answered.

“It smells amazing,” her dad said.

”Tyler, come downstairs!” Delphine shouted. “I’ve made dessert!”

“Yum!” Tyler said as he came down the stairs.

“Close your eyes. It’s a surprise,” Delphine said. They all sat down with eyes closed as Delphine passed out dessert. They all tried it.

“MMM, this is the pretty good.”

“Umm I’m not trying to insult you,” her dad said “but the icecream sort of tastes funny.”

“Uhh sorry,” Delphine said.

Later that night in bed Delphine smiled. Success, sort of, she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

🍰🍰🍰

During the night Delphine dreamed she was on the show America’s Best Baker’s. She dreamed she was baking her special dessert, the good smells of the other desserts wafting into her nose. When the Judge tasted her dessert he smiled and said “Congratulations, Delphine, you win first place in the America’s Best Bakers contest!” When Delphine woke up the first thought she had was I’m going to ask mom and dad if I can apply for America’s Best Baker’s. Dressing quickly Delphine ran downstairs.

“Mom, dad, can I apply for America’s Best Bakers? I had a dream that I won the show and I really want to try to win.”

Her mother sighed. “I don’t know. Frank what do you think?”

“Please dad?” Delphine asked. “This is really important.”

“Fine, honey,” Frank said, “this is a big thing going on TV, and you’re a kid, the baking shows don’t seem to have a lot of kids. Are you sure you want to do this?” “

Yes, dad, I really do. Thank you dad. Thank you so much.”

As she left the kitchen she heard her mom and dad talking, “Elizabeth,” her dad said, “you know that her fatal flaw is being way too confident, She has so many hopes and dreams but what if they fail her?”

“I don’t know, Frank,” her mom said. “I really don’t know.”

🍰🍰🍰

One day as Delphine baked she glanced out the window. Across the street she saw another girl in the window. What is she doing? Delphine wondered. As she looked closer she saw that the girl was also baking. Whoa, thought Delphine wouldn’t it be crazy if that girl was in the competition too? She ran outside to talk to the girl. Delphine knocked on the door.

“Hi, my name is Delphine,” she said as the girl opened the door. “I saw you in the kitchen and was wondering if you were trying out for America’s Best Baker’s. Sorry to be random.”

“Do you bake too?!! I’m applying for America’s best bakers.” May the best baker win! She shut the door in Delphine face.”

That was weird Delphine thought as she headed back towards the house.

Delphine started to pipe cream into the cooled eclairs. Who had that girl been? Delphine didn’t even know her and the girl had just told her that she was also applying for America’s Best Bakers.

Tomorrow Delphine would have school. This meant coming home with homework. Not getting to practice for A.B.B. Delphine was outgoing with baking and family but at school she was shy. So many questions and people to deal with. Delphine had one one friend called Sarah. Sarah also shared her love of baking and was already practicing for A.B.B. As Delphine thought about this suddenly she wondered, why hadn't I thought of this before? This is an idea I should have already thought about. As Delphine walked to the park she noted that her best friend and a random girl were both competing in the same thing as her, Delphine felt bad. What if she won the contest and Sarah got mad?

🍰🍰🍰

Part 2 Katie

Katie had been washing dishes before she iced her cake when she’d heard a knock on the door. A girl had been standing outside the door. Katie had said,

“Do you bake too?!! I’m applying for America’s best bakers. May the best baker win!”

Katie had shut the door. What had she been thinking? That other girl probably thought she was a looney bin. Katie liked baking fluffy things but was the worst at any other thing to make.

Katie and her mom had just moved to Chicago. Her dad and mom were divorced but thankfully they got along pretty well. Her dad and brother had stayed in California and Katie visited them a lot, on her tablet with facetime. Katie had taken up baking when her parents got divorced. She had thought that they would hate each other and she wanted something that could distract her. They hadn’t ended up hating each other so now Katie baked because she liked to.

Katie added the pale pink frosting and slathered it all over the cake, smoothing it all out. Next she filled a piping bag with a light red frosting and fitted it with a flower shaped tip. When she finished icing the top of the cake Katie sprinkled on some sugar pearls on top. Sticking the cake in the freezer, Katie went upstairs.

🍰🍰🍰

Part 3 Sarah

Sarah stood in her kitchen mixing butter and sugar together. She was making butter cookies today. They were firm, sugary, and of course buttery. She mixed and mixed.

Her best friend Delphine had called her earlier that day.

“Sarah,” she’d said. “I’m going to compete in A.B.B just like you!”

“Really?” Sarah had exclaimed bouncing with excitement.

“Really” Delphine said.

They’d talked for a while about what they were going to bake for the contest and how they were nervous and excited.

Sarah had one younger sister, a twin, and a sister in high school. Her father, Magnus, worked as a lawyer and her mother was a dentist. Being able to make cookies was a special thing in their house. Sarah’s mom always examined her and her sisters’ teeth when she got home.

Sarah placed the cookies in the oven and went upstairs. Her twin was sitting on the floor drawing.

“I made butter cookies.” This got Lydia’s attention.

“Butter cookies? The cookies you’re good at making?” Lydia got up. “Race ya,” she said.

“Yes,” Sarah said, “the cookies I’m good at making.”

A girl walked by the house with a plate full of what looked like uncooked ravioli. She knocked on the door.

“My name’s Megan.” she said

“My name’s Sarah,” Sarah said.

“I was just walking around the neighborhood giving out this nectarine ravioli. Want to try it?”

“Sure, Sarah said, I love desserts.” The ravioli was amazing, sweet nectarine with a bit of cottage cheese. The powdered sugar got on Sarah’s upper lip so she looked like she had a mustache. They both laughed.

“I love baking,”Sarah said.

“Want to come over to my house to hang out and bake?

“Sure,” Sarah replied

🍰🍰🍰

Standing outside before she went into Megan’s house Sarah made a quick call.

“Hello, Delphine” she said.

“Hi Sarah,” Delphine replied.

“I’m at a new person's house and (her name is Megan) we’re practicing for A.B.B and I’m super nervous.”

🍰🍰🍰

Part 4 Megan

Megan had been powdering her nectarine ravioli and thinking about A.B.B. when she’d decided to take a walk before it was due to rain and give out the ravioli. She knocked on the door of one house and learned that the girl she met was named Sarah. Megan had learned that Sarah baked and invited her over.

Megan had a baby sister, a little brother, a brother in middleschool, and a sister in college. Her mom was an editor and her father was a chef.

The doorbell rang abruptly and Megan ran to get it.

Sarah stepped inside, introductions were made then Sarah hugged her mom goodbye and put her suitcase down.

The parent’s had decided to just let them have a sleepover even if they were just new friends. Megan knew that she and Sarah would get along fine.

“Sorry if it’s a little chaotic in here,” Megan said.

“So,” Sarah said, “ you know how to bake?”

“Yeah,” Megan said. “I applied for America’s Best Baker’s. I really want to win.”

“So have I!” Sarah said. “I love baking. Maybe we should practice together,” Sarah said.

“And right now,” Megan said.

Megan and Sarah stood together mixing, and measuring, and talking, having a great time.

As Katie walked into her second week of school she saw Delphine. Katie’s heart pounded fast. I need to show her that I’m not crazy, Katie thought. She walked nervously up to Delphine. “Hey,” she said “can I talk to you?”

“Um yeah,” said Delphine.

Katie took a deep breath. “Sorry for being so abrupt yesterday. I just wanted you to know that I’m not some crazy person who just randomly starts telling people their information.”

“It’s fine,” said Delphine. “I was just talking to my friend Sarah who’s also competing in A.B.B.”

“That’s nice,” said Katie. -Ish she thought in her head.

That day when Katie went home she tried to bake but her mom had brought home her new boyfriend (the 16th). Her mom expected Katie to be nice to everyone her mom brought home but it was hard. Some men were nice and some were snotty and evil. There was almost always a different person. Katie stressed over her dessert and her homework and her mom’s stupid new boyfriend. When would this finally stop?

🍰🍰🍰

One day Delphine came running home and started to make her beloved Grandmothers’ macarons.

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 2 to 3 drops gel food coloring (see below)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, almond or mint extract
• Almond raspberry (see below)

Directions:

Special equipment: Oven with convection setting, 4 baking sheets, 3 silicone baking mats, Fine-mesh sieve, Pastry bag with 1/4-inch round tip

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F using the convection setting. Line 3 baking sheets with silicone mats. Measure the confectioners' sugar and almond flour by spooning them into measuring cups and leveling with a knife. Transfer to a bowl; whisk to combine.

Sift the sugar-almond flour mixture, a little at a time, through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing with a rubber spatula to pass through as much as possible. It will take a while, and up to 2 tablespoons of coarse almond flour may be left; just toss it.

Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with a mixer on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium high; gradually add the superfine sugar and beat until stiff and shiny, about 5 more minutes.

Transfer the beaten egg whites to the bowl with the almond flour mixture. Draw a rubber spatula halfway through the mixture and fold until incorporated, giving the bowl a quarter turn with each fold.

Add the food coloring and extract (see below). Continue folding and turning, scraping down the bowl, until the batter is smooth and falls off the spatula in a thin flat ribbon, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch round tip. Holding the bag vertically and close to the baking sheet, pipe 1 1/4-inch circles (24 per sheet). Firmly tap the baking sheets twice against the counter to release any air bubbles.

Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the tops are no longer sticky to the touch, 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the humidity. Slip another baking sheet under the first batch (a double baking sheet protects the cookies from the heat).

Bake the first batch until the cookies are shiny and rise 1/8 inch to form a "foot," about 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat, using a double sheet for each batch. Peel the cookies off the mats and sandwich with a thin layer of filling (see below).

Almond-Raspberry:

Tint the batter with 2 drops neon pink gel food coloring; flavor with almond extract. Fill with seedless raspberry jam (you'll need about 3/4 cup).

🍰🍰🍰

The girls had eventually met each other and become good friends. Soon the time had come to board the plane. The day before the contest each separate girl was nervous. What if they won and their friends were sad? What if they lost and their friends won? Tomorrow the contest would take place, There was first place, second place, and third place.

The next day they went to where the show took place. There were many people there and they had to wait a long time but finally it was show time. Sarah, Delphine, Megan, and

Katie took their places on the stage.

“These are our four youngest contestants,” the announcer said. “May the best winner, umm, win.”

Each girl baked and mixed and worked for the whole hour.

This is nerve wracking Delphine thought. Finally each dessert was done. The judges tasted the desserts then moved onto the next rounds.

Finally when they were at the last round the contestants that were left were Delphine, Megan, Sarah, Katie, and two grownups. Each started to gather their ingredients. Delphine had decided to make her perfected macarons, Katie was making a small cake for each judge, Megan was making her nectarine ravioli, Sarah was making her butter cookies with buttercream frosting, and finally the two other people were making fancy looking desserts. When the presentations had been done the judge tasted the woman's dessert He smiled and so did all of the other judges. Uh oh Delphine thought they seemed to really like that person’s. When it was Delphine’s turn her heart pounded and her face felt warm. The judge tasted the souffle and stayed with the same judge like face.

When the judges were done tasting and giving feedback they went into their special room and talked. The four girls chatted nervously together.

“I’m sorry if I win, Delphine said but if I don’t place well don’t feel bad for me, making it to the final round is enough for me.”

“Same,” all four girls agreed.

When the judges came out the room fell silent.

“ The desserts were all good,” said a judge. “First place goes to… Sarah Mansions.” Sarah gawked.

“Your cookies were exceptional and the filling was rich and creamy. Second place goes to Bethany French Fries whose sweet and savory truffles and chocolate was phenomenal.And last but not least, third place goes to… Delphine Harrows. Your macarons were exceptional.”

“There you have it folks, said the announcer. This is our third time on America’s best Baker’s having children contestants who have won!”

🍰🍰🍰

Each girl lay in bed that night reflecting on what they could have done better. Even Sarah lay in bed reflecting. Each girl was happy to have pursued their dreams even if they had not made first, second, or third place.