It’s strange how a food can symbolize so much more than just food. We attach people, events and emotions to foods and smells to anchor us to our history. The combination of pecans, coconut, chocolate and caramel is one such anchor for me.
My father and I shared our birthdays for forty-nine years until he passed away a month before my 50th and his 92th birthday. We always enjoyed my mom’s German chocolate cake together in celebration of our births and our mutual history. My grandmother and aunts had started the tradition long before my dad married my mother and he shared his tradition with me through “our” cake. Even if we didn’t live in the same city we would have German chocolate cake together. I would send him a cake or ask my aunt to make one and I would call him so we could share a piece.
In my grief, I can’t bring myself to eat German chocolate cake without him, but I still love the flavor explosion of pecans, chocolate, coconut and caramel. So here’s a healing step, Daddy. I’m letting a little more grief go and continuing the tradition with a modern twist on “our” cake.
Do you have a deeply held food tradition? Please share it with us.
I’m taking my dessert to Fiesta Friday to show my peeps that I have sugar occassionally in my cabinets and I know how to use it. Go see this weeks amazing recipes at The Novice Gardener with much thanks to hosts Angie and Hilda.
German Chocolate Cheesecake Cups, Reduced Fat
Ingredients:
Cheesecake
8 oz lowfat cream cheese
5 oz vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt, I used Chobani
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sugar or equivalent sugar substitute
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Crust
5 chocolate graham crackers
1 tablespoon melted butter
Topping
Pecan halves
Unsweetened toasted coconut shreds
Caramel (I used fat free carmel ice cream topping)
Mini chocolate chips
Directions
1. Crumble graham crackers into small pieces into a food processor. Process until finely crumbled. Had melted butter and combine until crumbs hold together. Press 1-2 tablespoons of crust into cupcake cups. I used silicon cups.
2. Combine all cheesecake ingredients except mini chocolate chips and process in food processor until combined. Fold mini chocolate chips into cheese mixture. Pour cheese mixture into baking cups and top with some of the coconut and and pecans. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. When cooled add more toppings and drizzle with carmel.
Share with someone you love and start a tradition.
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What's for dinner, Doc? 
How special. That was my Father’s favorite birthday cake too. He has diabetes so is not suppose to eat it anymore but I bet he still does. Is it your birthday?
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Oh my goodness! These look amazing!
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Thanks Sarah. They were made with love.
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No Stacey, my bday is in June but I wasn’t ready to post the recipe then. Grief is a very unpredictable process. Maybe a little piece would be ok for your dad. These could be made with a sugar substitute and sugar free chocolate. 😦 Yikes, I can’t believe I said that. Never mind. Eat real food in smaller portions. Ha ha
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Tracey, I am so sorry about the death of your Father. What a sweet memory and I can really understand why you could not bring yourself to have this without him. Your German Chocolate cheesecake cups are wonderful and a great tribute to your Dad. I also love German Chocolate cake and cheesecake this is such a wonderful idea.
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He was well loved and lived a full life. I was blessed with remarkable parents. Thank you for your always kind replies, Suzanne
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Thank you for sharing such sweet memories with us. This cake looks so good! It would be a pleasure to share with loved ones.
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Thanks Julie. Food is best when shared for sure.
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Tracey, I’m truly touched by this beautiful tribute to your dad. You have my deepest sympathy, and hope that the wonderful memories of him will help to ease your sadness.. What a delicious “baby-step” you’ve made to celebrate both of your lives.. LOVE this. ❤
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Thank you Prudy. The sadness fades with time and the joyful memories surface. Grief is so individualized. Maybe next year I will post my Mom’s recipe for the original cake.
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That looks delish!
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Thanks Anjana
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Wow, these sound so delicious that I understand how they could be a family tradition for so long. I’m sure your Dad is smiling down on you right now for this lovely tribute to your shared birthday tradition.
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Thanks Julianna.
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It is so true what you say about the connection between food and memories, and the bond formed by sharing certain favourite dishes. Perhaps eventually you will find someone else to share this with on a regular basis, because it is too good a tradition to lose. Thanks for your courage in making it and passing the recipe on to us.
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I think you’re right Hilda. Traditions are made to be shared. I have two sons who may want to pass on the tradition to their children some day. I think my Dad would have liked that. Thanks for hosting FF.
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I just love bite size desserts and a healthy one too! Food traditions are always special and you certainly had one with your Dad 🙂
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Thank you Judi. Bite sized means better calorie control unless you eat 2-3. Oops
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This is a lovely post Tracey and a sweet tribute to your Dad. The cups look divine & am sure your dad would have loved them 🙂
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I loved your lavender cake post it is so pretty Naiana. Thanks for stopping by.
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Thank you Tracy!
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These look amazing. I’m sure your dad would have loved this tribute to your tradition
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oh man these cheese cups looks stunning!!!..
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These look amazing but no low fat ingredients for me, lol! they look so elegant and delicious. Pinned;]
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