Gingerbread Cake With Extra Whipped Cream

For me, Christmas is about food.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas is also heavily steeped in family and tradition but think of it this way:
in literature, food is associated with communion and community. Physically breaking bread creates bonds for better or worse.

Beyond this, food has always been a huge part of my life. I favor food-centric holidays (instead of what, Arbor day?) Because of the ravenous sweet tooth my father bestowed on me, I lean towards dessert being my favorite meal.

I grew up acting as official apple pie taste-tester for my mother, carefully mixing in the sugar and spices and then gobbling up the coated slices as soon as her back was turned.

When I learned to cook, I claimed gingerbread cake as my signature holiday dessert. I love anything with an excess of spices, you now, the things that just smell like Christmas when you leave them to cool on the stove. I make homemade whipped cream with extra vanilla to serve on top when the cake is still warm.

I like things that taste like certain memories. This one taste like warm Christmas mornings in front of the fireplace, especially that one time I stayed up all night and fell asleep on the rug until dinner time.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve.