Summer Sandcastle Cake

Summer officially kicks off for me with the Fourth of July and then I invariably try to cram in a summer’s worth of fun in one month. Almost ever year over the past 15 years we have been lucky enough to celebrate the holiday with our long-time family friends who have a house on the Oregon Coast. It’s one of my favorite traditions. Gathering at the same time each year to check in on each other’s lives has created a special bond between our families. All the laughs, inside jokes and priceless memories and traditions will hopefully extend for generations to come. Naturally part of our tradition is the food! Seaside means corn dogs courtesy of our friends’ neighbor, caramel corn from Philips Candies, spinning the wheel at the Seaside Candyman, chowder at Norma’s, clam digging for part of the crew, and good ole American burgers and watermelon year after year. Recently, crème brulee French toast with berries has been a hit. But dessert has been the tradition that has stood the test of time. I like to joke that my entry fee for being invited each year is making “the pie” (but I’m not really joking). In addition to the requested chocolate candy bar pie, this year I decided to re-introduce the Sandcastle Cake.