Mrs. Dorsie's Red Velvet Cake
On a particularly rotten day in August, I was stressed with typical small business problems. How would I get it all done? Where was all my help when I needed them? Would I be able to keep my business afloat without the revenue my restaurant once created? I knew I was being a “pill”, but I could not seem to bring myself out of the pits of despair. My cell phone started ringing in the midst of the chaos. The number was one I did not recognize. I answered with a sharp, “Hello?” I wanted my greeting to sting the caller’s ear as I knew it had to be a telemarketer trying to sell me an extended warranty for my car or some zealot trying to implore me to vote for their particular candidate. Much to my surprise the sweetest voice replied to my “Hello”. I immediately took notice. Her voice was the kind that can only be mellowed by years of wisdom and kindness. The voice belonged to Mrs. Dorsie as she introduced herself. She then asked if she could share a scripture from the Bible with me. I acquiesced with a tremor in my voice. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 When Mrs. Dorsie read those words, it was if God had “snatched a knot” in me Himself. My caller I.D. could have very well said The Heavenly Father on my caller ID. I needed the reprimand and words of hope. Mrs. Dorsie explained it was her ministry to call random numbers and share the good word. I asked if she would call my husband and she said, “Yes.” and so began a quick friendship of daily calls and conversations about scripture and life. I knew I had to tell Mrs. Dorsie’s story because sometimes the folks you never hear about are the true heroes and angels on this earth. Mrs. Dorsie is a native of Emanuel County. She was one of 8 children and quickly realized she loved to follow the command “Obey your parents and you will live a long life” Ephesians 6:1. She married later in life and came to live with her husband near Cooperville. She began her phone ministry when COVID kept her from spreading the word in person. When asked why she chose this ministry she says, “because of my love for Jehovah and people”. She calls 10 or more people each day. The numbers are selected through a random Google search. She also writes letters of encouragement to unsuspecting patrons with her sister. I made the drive one Friday afternoon before Christmas to Screven County to visit Mrs. Dorsie and take her picture. She navigated me down a dirt lane and through a field flanked by the homes of various family members. She was cooking an early supper of fried catfish because cooking some type of fish is her Friday tradition. We had a lovely talk about her faith as a Jehovah Witness and my faith as a Christian. Turns out we are not all that different. Our love for people is a common thread. I asked Mrs. Dorise to share a recipe for “Buzz Worthy Bites”. Cooking for her husband each day is one of her love languages. As most good cooks will confess, they don’t cook from recipes they cook from the heart.
Mrs. Dorsie’s Red Velvet Cake
2 c Sugar
2 c Crisco Oil
2 Eggs
2 oz Red Food Coloring
1 tsp Vinegar
2 ½ c Cake Flour
1 Tbs. Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 c Buttermilk
1 tsp. Vanilla Icing: 1 stick butter 1 8oz block Cream Cheese 1 lb Powdered Sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla ½ c Pecans Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and oil together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add food coloring and vinegar. Combine all dry ingredients and sift 8 times. (Mrs. Dorsie says this is the secret.) Add dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to red mixture and mix until combined. Add vanilla and mix. Grease 3 round cake pans and line with parchment paper. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely. Cream softened cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined. Ice cake and sprinkle with roasted pecans. I doubled the recipe for icing because the icing is my favorite part!