It was one of those marvelous life moments when you realize that all the stars, moons and planets have somehow aligned themselves in your favor. There I was, sitting with Ernest Weil and his charming daughters, sipping tea and eating his famous Florentines and Almond Macaroons which he had baked just for us. A little background: Mr. Weil is the man who created the Coffee Crunch Cake and he is the man who founded FANTASIA BAKERY in San Francisco. When I wrote an article a few months ago entitled "Blums, Where are you?" I was contacted by one of his daughters, Sandy. She was pleased to tell me that he was writing a cookbook which would be out in the Spring, 2006. I had to meet this legend. And I did. An appointment that was only scheduled to last one hour was still going strong three hours later. Only a previous engagement tore us away. I am so honored to have been in his company for this time and to hear him share the stories of his emigration from Germany, his time in a French orphanage, his education at the Cordon Bleu and his arrival in America. His is the story of so many of our own grandparents fleeing for their lives from Europe with only the clothes on their back. With luck a guardian angel lends a helping hand once they arrive in this country and then their own hard work that resulted in great success.
The cookbook is now available through the website LOVE TO BAKE COOKBOOK. It is a must for anyone who wants the original recipe for Coffee Crunch Cake, Florentines and great stories about San Francisco's beloved Fantasia Bakery.
Ah...the last time I was in SF I went driving around looking for my favorite bakery. Gone! Thanks for the update.
Posted by: Deb | June 30, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Does anyone have a photo of the original Blum's?
Posted by: Meredith Callahan | December 08, 2007 at 09:20 AM
If I buy one more cookbook I'm going to be in BIG trouble! But it sounds like I need this one. TROUBLE is my middle name. Need to try that Coffe Crunch Cake. Yum!
Posted by: cpr | July 16, 2006 at 01:16 PM
The coffee crunch cake was my favorite.
Posted by: Mz B | July 12, 2006 at 08:24 PM
The Coffee Crunch Cake is delicius. I guess the book must contain a lot of tasty secrets from the Fantasia Bakery land.
Posted by: Maria loves pictures | June 16, 2006 at 06:16 AM