Cocoanut Cakes
| Cocoanut (grated), | ½ pound |
| Sugar (granulated), | ½ cup |
| Whites of | 2 large or 3 small eggs |
| Flavoring (vanilla), | ½ teaspoon |
Betsey beat the egg whites until very stiff, added the sugar and vanilla, then stirred in the cocoanut gradually.
Mother had a large tin sheet upon which Betsey placed waxed paper. Taking a teaspoon she dropped a spoonful of the mixture at a time, shaping each cake with the spoon to a point at the top, then baked in a moderate oven until they were a golden brown. This made about three dozen tiny cocoanut cakes.
It happened to be along the latter part of March when Betsey was making the "Cocoanut Cakes" and her "dearest friend" Dorothy was helping too.
Just as Betsey was taking the large tin sheet full from the oven, the door-bell rang.
Mother had a caller, and as she came in, she exclaimed, "My, what is it that smells so good!"
Mother, with a twinkle in her eye, escorted her caller to the kitchen, where Betsey and Dorothy, all flushed and excited, were in the act of piling the cocoanut cakes on a pretty dish covered with a piece of waxed paper.
Mother's caller could hardly believe it was possible for little girls of such tender years to be capable of making the delicious confections.
When she was told of the many kinds that they really and truly could make, she remarked, "Well, I certainly have come to just the right place."
Then mother's caller explained that she belonged to a patriotic society that was planning to have a sale in a few weeks. If Betsey and Dorothy would make her some candy she would be very grateful.
The little girls were only too delighted and mother promised to furnish the materials if they would do the work.
To this they readily agreed and many happy, busy spare moments they spent in preparing for (to them) the great occasion.
It would take too long to tell you about the different candies they made, but every bit was sold, and when, one morning, they received a written "vote of thanks" from the patriotic society, Betsey and Dorothy felt fully repaid for all their efforts.
CHAPTER VIII
SALTED NUTS
One day Betsey said, "Mother, I should like to know how to prepare salted peanuts and salted almonds," and, as usual, mother was glad to comply with her request and teach her.