The Winner Is . . . by Charise Mericle Harper

Author:Charise Mericle Harper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

My first idea is usually my best idea. Bavarian apple pie—that’s my inspiration. Apples, graham crackers, and cream cheese—maybe walnuts for decoration, too.

I haven’t done anything with chocolate yet, so this is going to be new for the judges. I’m going to use chocolate wafers and hot chocolate mixed with whipping cream for my filling. Hot chocolate icebox cake: It’s going to be as good as it sounds.

Rae had a plan. Make the fillings and the frosting and then, when everything was ready, assemble the cake. Caroline and Oliver had the exact same plan. Rae peeled and sliced four apples and put them in a frying pan with butter and sugar. She added a squeeze of lemon juice for flavor and stability.

Chef Aimee looked over the group and smiled. Not only were they busy, but at this exact moment they were all stirring the very same ingredient: whipping cream. Rae folded it into her cream cheese filling, Caroline whisked it vigorously, and Oliver added vanilla and sugar to make it sweet.

Oliver dipped a spoon into his lime filling and then tasted it. Evaporated milk, condensed milk, and lime juice—only three ingredients, but it was delicious. Simple was better. He covered the bottom of the pan with filling, then added a layer of thin wafers, a layer of fresh strawberry compote and whipped cream, then another layer of wafers. He repeated the process until it reached the top of the pan.

Caroline and Rae were adding layers too. Caroline added chocolate wafers, caramel sauce, hot chocolate whipped cream, and then wafers again. She was hoping to get five repeats before the top of the pan.

Rae was not so lucky. She’d cut her apples too thick. She’d be lucky to get three full layers. Maybe first ideas weren’t so good after all.

“TIME!”

Six hands rose into the air.

Chef Nancy pointed to the pantry. “Into the refrigerator and then back to the lodge!”

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