THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES + ANGEL FOOD CAKE

Major star power and strong acting in this adaptation of the bestselling novel ⭐️🐝🍯

Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Sophie Okonedo

Screenplay by: Gina Prince-Bythewood (based on the book by Sue Monk Kidd)

Rosaleen: “Happy birthday!”

Lily: “I didn’t know you made me a cake!”

Rosaleen: “Of course I did. It’s your birthday. How big a piece?”

Lily: “Real big.”

It was fun to spot Lily’s whale pin which reminded me of one my Nana owned ↑

Angel Food Cake (recipe from Virginia Willis: https://virginiawillis.com/how-to-make-angel-food-cake/)

1 c. sifted cake flour

1 1/2 c. sifted granulated sugar

12 large egg whites, at room temperature

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. almond extract

Position an oven rack in the lower part of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Sift the flour with 3/4 c. of the sugar. Resift the mixture three times and set aside. Set the remaining 3/4 c. sugar next to the mixer.

Beat the egg whites at low speed until they’re beginning to froth. Add the cream of tartar and salt and beat at medium speed until very soft and billowy mounds form.

Keeping the mixer at medium speed, add all of the remaining sugar (1 tbsp. at a time) and mix until the egg whites are shiny and soft peaks form.

Add the vanilla, lemon juice, and almond extract until just blended. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour/sugar mixture.

Pour into an ungreased tube pan and bake 50-60 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, preferably upside down.