The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Donna Scales, of Bridge City, not only received an autograph photo with Paula Deen and her son, Bobby Deen, but also gave her a copy of her personal most requested recipe, Almond Joy Cake.

During the time when photos were being taken, Scales gave a copy of the cake recipe to her daughter, Jackie, to give to Paula Deen. As a result, she handed the paper to Deen, but, informed her that her “mother made her do it.” Deen immediately opened it and read what was inside.

“I do your recipes all the time, it’s time to give you one of mine,” Scales said to Deen.

Deen replied she would give it a try and asked for Scales phone number. Scales said she is still waiting for her to call. But, she is sure if Deen made a call to her, then it would be to rave about the rich, chocolatey cake.

Scales and her family members also each took a cookbook of Deen’s to have it autographed.

The incident began a few weeks ago when the Deens came to Southeast Texas. As a surprise for Scales on her birthday, her family bought tickets to attend the Houston Metro Cooking event in Houston. Her family didn’t tell her where she was going, but only to pack a bag for an overnight stay.

For the first part of the adventure, the Scales family attended a brunch with about 30 other people. This is also when they presented Deen with the recipe.

Following the brunch, Scales and her fellow “foodies” went downstairs into a theater filled with about 700 people where Paula and Bobby Deen performed cooking demonstrations. They made a pot pie and peanut butter pie. Scales and her group where allowed to sample what they had made.

“They were really good, “ Scales said.

Paula Deen, 66, is an American celebrity chef, cooking show host, restaurateur, author, actress and Emmy Award-winning television personality. Deen resides in Savannah, Georgia, where she owns and operates The Lady & Sons restaurant with her sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen. She has published fourteen cookbooks. She is known as a down-home, strong willed mom who overcame personal tragedy, long odds, financial and physical challenges to carve one of the most effective and wide ranging entertainment brands that exists today.

Scales added, she felt Paula Deen was a “really down to earth” type of person and enjoyed the experience.

Donna Scales Almond Joy Cake recipe;

1 package of a devil’s food cake mix.

The filling:

1 cup of evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

24 marshmallows

1 -14 ounce package of coconut.

Bake the cake as directed. Heat the evaporated milk, sugar and marshmallows until melted. Add coconut and spread the mixture over the cake.

Icing:

1 1/2 cups of sugar

1 stick of margarine

1/2 cup Pet milk

Boil the above ingredients. Take off the heat; add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Add 1 cup of chopped almonds which are roasted and unsalted. Spread over the cake.

Donna Scales and her family attended the Houston Metro Cooking event where the met Paula and Bobby Deen. Pictured left to right on the back row: Bobby Solis, James Scales, Jimmy Scales and Donna Scales. Front row: Bobby Deen, Jackie Scales and Paula Deen.