Article: She thrives on variety, secret ingredients.(FoodPlus)

Byline: Laura Bianchi

Darlene Straman of McHenry Township welcomes a culinary challenge. Every week for the past year this bold baker has produced three homemade cakes for the Sunday fellowship at tiny Mount Hope Methodist Church.

In all that time she hasn't baked the same cake twice - that's 156 different cakes, all from scratch, and all for just about 15 faithful souls who troop down the basement stairs for coffee and conversation after services.

Sometimes Darlene plays "What's the secret ingredient?" with her guests, especially when she's unearthed a recipe with a really novel addition like mashed potatoes, tomato soup, sauerkraut or sweet ...

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