4

Salima read a bulletin in the library:

Contractors installed a mobile kitchen tent for

this year’s newest attraction at the county fair. There

will be a live cake-baking competition. Contestants

will be challenged to design and bake a cake that

represents agriculture in our area. They will have

three hours from start to finish and must use at least

one ingredient that was produced right here in our

county. Anyone interested in entering the competition

can submit an application at the fairground office.

“I’m a pretty confident baker,” Salima said. “I

think I’ll submit an application!”

At home, Salima spent lots of time in

preparation. She decided to flavor her cake with

maple syrup from her family’s trees along with a little

vanilla. She would decorate it with maple leaves made

of marzipan colored with powdered beets.

​

Let's Read!
The Baking Contest

It was fair week at last. Salima entered the tent

with anticipation. First, she mixed her cake batter.

“Since it’s raining today, I need to subtract a

tablespoon of water from my recipe. I like things to be

exact,” Salima said.

“Oh no! I accidentally added extra vanilla extract!

I hope this doesn’t detract from the flavor of my

cake.”

While her cake was baking, Salima concentrated

on creating decorations. She was distracted making the

marzipan maple leaves and didn’t hear the oven timer.

Salima’s cake was drying out in the oven!

“Oh, no!” She concluded, “I’ve left it in too long.

It’s going to be dry, but at least it didn’t burn. I just

have to continue the best I can. She filled and frosted

her cake, then decorated it. It looked beautiful!

Now that her cake was finished, Salima looked

around at the other cakes. One of the contestants

had made a cake shaped like a tractor complete with

donut tires. Another had constructed a barn-shaped

cake with chocolate cows and horses. Salima loved the

decorations on Isabella’s apple cake. It had cinnamon

frosting and was decorated with real edible flowers.

Salima presented her cake for judging.

“The cake is very attractive. I can really taste

the maple and vanilla. It has great flavors, but it is a

little dry. I think it was overbaked,” the judge said.

Salima confessed that she had missed her timer.

When the judging was complete, the judge

announced, “This floral apple cake is the winner!”

“Congratulations, Isabella!” Salima said, “You are

a great baker.”

“So are you!” Isabella said as she enjoyed a slice

of maple vanilla cake.