I like to cook almost anything, but I really love to bake! Cooking requires knowledge and practice, but real, serious baking requires more chemistry, more precision, and for extremely beautiful results a certain creativity and decorating ability.

There’s nothing I like to do more than roll up my sleeves, put on an apron, and start sifting the flour and measuring the sugar and butter. I bake a lot, but I’m always willing to try a new recipe and decorate another cake.

I love visiting the newest bakery in town and search for bakeries while on vacation, looking for a fresh idea.

It’s important to me to make baked goods–cakes, cookies, breads and pies-that are delicious to eat and beautiful to look at. I strive to make the recipes in my cookbooks simple, clear, and easy to follow.

I think you will find this special Pineapple Delight Cake from my Alaskan Rock’n Galley cookbook a wonderful addition to your repertoire. I hope that you bake it right away. Your family will adore you and your friends will cheer for more.

Pineapple Delight Cake

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 egg whites
1 egg
1 (8-ounce) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup cold milk
1 (3-ounce) pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (14-ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 (8-ounce) frozen whip topping, thawed
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 9X13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl; beat cake mix, buttermilk, egg whites and egg with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat on high for 2 minutes. Transfer to baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick tests clean. Cool on wire rack.

In another mixing bowl; beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in milk. Gradually add pudding mix. Spread over cooled cake. Spoon drained pineapple over pudding mixture.

Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with coconut.

Serves 8.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever baked?