My kids had a bake sale at school this week as a fundraiser for something or other. I was slightly more organised than normal and it helped immensely that they actually handed me their notices on the Monday after school rather than the Wednesday morning (the day of the bake sale) which is normally the case.
I tried to think of something relatively quick and easy that would also appeal to the masses. And a lightbulb went off in my head, Vicky's Fudge Cake. Yum! I love that recipe. I used to make it as a child, and it got me thinking.
Vicky was my mum's best friend. Vicky, her husband and children lived across the road from us for many years when my sisters and I were quite small. They were always together. They moved away one day, not that far away but far enough that we didn't see them that often. I do recall one visit though, I was bouncing on their trampoline and thought I was way clever. Did a flip and landed on the metal edge (they weren't padded back in those days). Put my front teeth through my bottom lip. Mum had to take me home after that.
One day mum told us that Vicky was sick, she had a brain tumour. It'd be ok though, the doctors were going to take it out. I didn't know anyone else who had been sick like that before, but mum seemed sad. I remember for such a long time after that every time we saw Vicky she was wearing the most amazing coloured scarves. It seemed the operation and treatment made her lose her hair. I was about 10 or 11 probably at the time and didn't really know what was going on.
Vicky's hair grew back, she had the most funky short hair cut, I thought she was so beautiful.
Then one day mum told us Vicky was sick again, very sick. The tumour was back and this time she wasn't going to get better. My mum was so sad. Vicky passed away not long after that.
Mum has told us some funny stories about what they used to get up to. Like the times(!) they'd sit around all morning drinking coffee, kids playing and then my dad would call to say he was coming home for lunch. They'd race around cleaning the house in super quick time and then Vicky and her kids would nip back to their house before dad got home. That one always makes me laugh.
Every time I make this fudge cake I think of Vicky. So I told my kids about her the other day as I was making the fudge cake. Kind of seemed right they knew where the recipe came from.
Vicky was a very cool lady, and very beautiful. I know my mum still misses her friend.
I wanted the share the recipe with you. Enjoy your long weekend and if you're travelling, please travel safely.
Here it is. Vicky's Fudge Cake. Yum!
4oz butter
1 cup sugar
1 dessertspoon cocoa
1 beaten egg
Pinch salt
1 packet superwine biscuits, less 4
Melt together, remove from heat, add biscuits. Mix, press into tin and ice.
I always double the recipe, one lot is never enough!
