Prolonging the Magic: Tips for Making Your Cake Last Longer Baking a cake is a labor of love. From mixing the batter to decorating the finished product, each step requires time, effort, and skill. So, it's only natural to want that cake to last as long as possible, allowing you to enjoy it for days to come. Luckily, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can prolong the magic of your cake and ensure it stays fresh and delicious for an extended period of time. 1. Proper Storage: One of the most important factors in keeping your cake fresh is proper storage.
Prolonging the Magic is a routinely overlooked album, seeing as it's flanked by what are easily Cake's two most successful releases in Fashion Nugget and Comfort Eagle. Although this lack of recognition is partially justified by a lack of iconic hits, I've slowly come to the opinion that this album is somewhat unjustifiably dismissed. It's not quite as accomplished as either of the records surrounding it, but it remains a consistently fun release that should prove at least moderately enjoyable to any fan of the band.
The other two tracks here that I really enjoy are You Turn the Screws and the surprisingly sunny Let Me Go , although Satan Is My Motor and Hem of Your Garment are also worth mentioning. To me this was about the coolest thing any band could do, something I hoped the megastar version of myself that lives in an alternate universe would take the time out to do.
Proper Storage: One of the most important factors in keeping your cake fresh is proper storage. Once the cake has cooled completely, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This will help prevent the cake from drying out and keep it moist for longer.
Cake
Prolonging The Magic
Cake has been around since 1994 when they released Motorcade of Genorosity. There next album Fashion Nugget was a big hit with songs such as "The Distance" and "I Will Survive". Next came Prolonging The Magic.
Members : John McCrea - vocals, guitar, organ, moog
Vincent Di Fiore - trumpet, backing vocals
Gabriel Nelson - bass guitar, mandolin, piano
Todd Roper - drums. percussion, backing vocals
Special Guests : Jim Campilongo - electric guitar
Richard Lyman - musical saw
David Palmer - keyboard
Xan McCurdy - electric guitar
Ben Morss - piano
Chuck Prophet - electric guitar
Greg Vincent - pedal steel guitar
Rusty Miller - Electric guitar
Tyler Pope - electric guitar
Cake is a very unique alternative rock band. The lead singer, John McCrea doesn't actually sing. He has a monotone voice and sort of speaks the lyrics. This may turn some listeners off, but certainly not me. Cake has sort of a relaxed feel, they also have clever lyrics and the music mixes well. There is a variety of instruments used throughout the cd and there are also nine special guests.
Satan is my Motor 3:12
Cake starts off with a slow steady song. The guitar is very addicting and catchy. This is one of those songs you can just sit back and sing along to. This is probably one of the catchiest songs on the album, but I still don't know why they are singing about Satan and cars. At the end of the song the trumpet comes in and then the song slowly closes.
4/5
Mexico 3:26
After the catchy tune Mexico comes in. This is a lazy country tune dominated by a twangy acoustic line. Don't get me wrong I can't stand country music and I love this song. This song features some clever lyrics and is quite depressing. The trumpet comes in toward the middle of the song, then the lazy country part comes in and closes out the song
4/5
Never There 2:44
Wow, we are getting quite a variety from Cake. McCrea sings the lyrics in this song and you might find yourself dancing because this song is funky and farily quick paced. Towards the middle of the song there is a groovy jazz influenced trumpet solo. The lyrics are quite intense and when you combine this with funk you get Cake at its best!
5/5
Guitar 3:40
There really isn't anything special about this track. The song has some good lyrcis and it's a little catchy, but overall there isn't anything special. This is mainly a guitar driven track but overall it doesn't really go anywhere. Note: this is the only song on the album that features the musical saw.
2.5/5
[b]You Turn The Screws[b] 4:00
This song opens with a nice piano part followed by a trumpet. After this 21 second intro the song turns into a hip/hoppish song. The lyrics are angry and are a rant about the music business. This is some catchy stuff but I think it goes on a little to long.
4/5
Walk On By 3:46
This is another depressing track. McCrea sings the lyrics on this one and it isn't pritty. The guitar playing is extremely simple and stripped down while the percussion delivers a formulaic rhythm. If your into depressing love songs than this is for you, unfortunately this is not my cup of tea.
2/5
Sheep Go To Heaven 3:48
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. The song starts out with McCrea singing about not being happy. The lyrics are very interesting and it just gets you pumped up. The vocals are lazy yet intense at the same time. The song goes into a mesh of a guitar, trumpet and an organ, then it's back to McCrea singing. The song fades out with McCrea chanting "Sheep go to heaven, goats go the hell."
5/5
When You Sleep 3:58
The song starts off slow and smooth. The lyrics are at there best on this song. The soothing smooth rythm mixes great with the lyrics. The backing vocals also add catchiness to this song and make it more fun to sing along to. This is a very interesting and cool feeling song.
4/5
Hem of your Garmet 3:35
This song rivals "Never There" for the most danceable song on the album. Unfortunately this song loses. The lyrics are as angry as they get on the album. There is a funky guitar part which is probably the best guitar feature on the album. The song is funky fun and has great harsh lyrics.
4.5/5
Alpha Beta Parking Lot 3:30
This song is "Guitars" twin. You will find yourself singing along but you will get more tired of this song each time you listen to it. Theres a catchy guitar and trumpet riff played in the middle of the song but it doesn't save the song from being a bore.
2/5
Let Me Go 3:29
Ah yes the cool fun beat of this song is very addicting. This songs lyrics are about plea for freedom within a relationship. Although the lyrics are sort of depressing this is song is extremely upbeat and features a very nice guitar line. The song ends with McCrea saying "Let me go" in a whimsical voice.
4/5
Cool Blue Reason 3:27
This song has depressing lyrics and has a depressing sound. Although I don't usually like demening Cake songs this one is quite good. After McCrea monotones there is a brief guitar solo with a mandolin playing in the backround. Then at around 2:50 some cool sounding instrument comes in(i'm not sure what it is) it sounds like and electronic moog. Although this isn't a very happy track I still think its interesting and I enjoy it.
3/5
Where Would I Be? 3:53
McCrea sings most of the time on this song. This is a very sad song. The lyrics are decent but the song isn't strong. The instruments seem to blend together well, but there is no instrument that stands out. Where would I be finally ends with a blend of guitar playing and mandolin strumming. I think this was a bad way to end the album.
2/5
Overall Cake didn't do a bad job. This is no Fashion Nugget or Comfort Eagle but this album does stand out well on its own. If Cake would of worked harder on a few tracks then this would of been great. If you are new to cake then I would check out the album Comfort Eagle but if you are a Cake fan and you don't have this than I would recomend this.
PROS:
Some good catchy tunes with good lyrics
Original cool sound
Is good to listen to when you want to relax or sing along to something
CONS:
To many bad or depressing tracks
Isn't good to listen to all the way through
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Overall Cake didn't do a bad job. This is no Fashion Nugget or Comfort Eagle but this album does stand out well on its own. If Cake would of worked harder on a few tracks then this would of been great. If you are new to cake then I would check out the album Comfort Eagle but if you are a Cake fan and you don't have this than I would recomend this.
Additionally, if you plan to store the cake in the refrigerator, make sure it is properly sealed to avoid absorbing any odors from other foods. 2. Freezing: If you want to extend the shelf life of your cake even further, consider freezing it. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cake can typically last for several months, allowing you to enjoy it on special occasions or whenever you're in the mood for something sweet. 3. Slicing and Portioning: Instead of keeping the entire cake intact, consider slicing and portioning it before storing. This allows you to easily grab a single serving whenever you want, without having to thaw the entire cake. Divide the cake into individual slices and wrap each one separately in plastic wrap or place them in individual containers. This way, you can thaw and enjoy a small piece of cake at a time, without worrying about the rest going to waste. 4. Room Temperature: While refrigeration is often necessary for certain types of cakes, such as those with perishable fillings or frostings, many cakes are best kept at room temperature. This is especially true for cakes with buttercream or ganache frostings, as refrigeration can cause the cake to dry out. If your cake doesn't require refrigeration, store it on the counter in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. 5. Reviving Stale Cake: If your cake has started to dry out or become stale, don't despair. There are a few tricks you can try to revive it and bring back its freshness. One method is to brush the cake with a simple syrup made from equal parts sugar and water. The syrup will help moisten the cake and bring back its original flavor. Another option is to warm the cake slightly in the microwave or oven, which can help soften it and make it more enjoyable. By following these tips, you can prolong the magic of your cake and keep it fresh for longer. Whether you choose to store it in the refrigerator, freezer, or at room temperature, proper storage and portioning are key to maintaining its taste and texture. So, next time you bake a cake, remember these tips to ensure you can savor every slice for days to come..
Reviews for "The Power of Preservation: Extending the Life of Your Magic Cake"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Prolonging the Magic Cake". The story seemed to drag on and I found myself getting bored halfway through. The characters were also very one-dimensional and I didn't feel invested in their journey at all. The writing style was also lackluster and didn't draw me in. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Prolonging the Magic Cake". The plot was incredibly confusing and there were so many unanswered questions. The pacing was all over the place, with random jumps in time that left me feeling lost. The author also introduced too many unnecessary subplots, making the story feel cluttered and unfocused. I was really hoping for a magical and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "Prolonging the Magic Cake" was a major letdown for me. The writing was overly descriptive and it felt like the author was trying too hard to be poetic. The flowery language became tiresome very quickly. Additionally, the plot was predictable and unoriginal, lacking any surprises or exciting moments. I struggled to connect with the characters as well, as they lacked depth and development. Overall, I found this book to be quite forgettable.