Editing Dad's Dessert Dilemma

{{Episode infobox
|image = DDD 39.jpg
|season = [[Season 3|3]]
|us= November 24, 1998<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/19991012144106/http://www.pbs.org/whatson/1998/11/N/19981124.html</ref>
|prev. episode = [[Arthur Rides the Bandwagon]]
|next episode = [[Popular Girls]]
|writers = [[Sandra Willard]]
|storyboarders = [[Jeremy O'Neill]]<br>[[Alex Greychuck]]|number = 7b
|titlecard = Dad's Dessert Dilemma Title Card.png|can = September 14, 1999<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20130719100407/http://ww3.tvo.org/program/157024/arthur/#1997</ref>|ger = March 1, 2002<ref>https://www.fernsehserien.de/erdferkel-arthur-und-seine-freunde/episodenguide/staffel-3/3906</ref>}}

{{EpisodeHeader|2|7|3}}
==Summary==
Dad volunteers to cater a school party. Knowing Dad's dessert "experiments," Arthur fears the worst.<ref>http://www.ket.org/episode/ARUR%20%20000307</ref>
==Plot==
[[David Read|David]] greets the viewers who are here for [[Arthur Read|Arthur]]. He calls for him, but doesn't get an answer, so he says that Arthur must be doing his homework; however, Arthur is actually shown to be eating cookies. 

David then announces he is working on a special cooking project for the Reads' family. He shows the viewers cinnamon toast soufflé, which he notices that getting them out of the toaster is a struggle. He also realizes that his cooking experiments have been misunderstood. During dessert, he brings out some pudding balls, which disgusts Arthur and D.W. While Arthur and the rest of the family are watching TV, David brings out "Cranberry Prune Crumble", which is a shortcake with cranberries and prunes. Arthur says he doesn't like broken-up food, but Jane tries it and likes it, much to Arthur and D.W.'s disgust. David realizes that disagreeing with the inventions are worth it. He offers a volunteer to taste one of his cooking projects.  Arthur arrives, but he shortly leaves.

<center>'''Dad's Dessert Dilemma'''</center>

One day at school, Mr. Ratburn teaches Arthur and the class about the physicist Galileo, who invented the first astronomical telescope in 1609. He tells the class that tomorrow is Galileo's birthday, and the class will celebrate by studying his theory about the solar system. Binky suggests a party, and Mr. Ratburn agrees. Buster says that every birthday party needs cake and ice cream. Arthur says that to celebrate someone's birthday and not have cake seems disrespectful; Brain agrees, saying that they can't disrespect Galileo. He then says he'll bring ice cream, Francine says she'll bring cake, and Arthur says his mom will bake chocolate chip cookies. Mr. Ratburn announces that 5 questions will be cut from the quiz about Galileo. Buster tells Arthur that he wishes that peanut brittle would have been brought instead.

When Arthur comes home, he announces to Jane about Galileo's birthday and mentions that he said she'd bake cookies, but Jane tells Arthur that she has a few business deadlines she is attempting to keep track of. David notices this and decides to bake Arthur something. Arthur wonders if there won't be anything weird. David is puzzled, but decides to give up on the conversation and check on muffins he is making. Arthur is disappointed and Jane tells him that there will be something unique (i.e. the clue).

Later that day, David reveals Arthur's surprise: Honey cake in the shape of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Arthur says, "But I said I'd bring cookies, not a whole tower of pizza!" — to which Jane says "Arthur!" in a serious tone. However, he thanks David for the cake while sounding disappointed. When David drives to school, Arthur has a bad dream: some of Arthur's friends and Mr. Ratburn refuse to eat the cake and Mr. Ratburn says "I give this cake and its owner a D — D for disgusting!" 

The scene cuts back to the present when Arthur arrives at his school, he sees his friends having the party. He brings in the cake and hides it with a book. Francine compliment's Brain's mom's ice cream. Buster agrees, and asks Arthur if he did bring something. Arthur gets terrified when Mr. Ratburn uncovers the cake; he cuts a piece, and then actually thinks it's delicious, much to Arthur's surprise. Arthur's friends want some as well. Ms. Sweetwater comes in and Mr. Ratburn convinces her to try the cake. She does and likes it as well. Arthur tells her that David can make it without any issue and Ms. Sweetwater compliments him.

Arthur tells his parents about the cake and says that it was the most popular one of all. David is impressed as Arthur was about to say about Ms. Sweetwater and the class sing-along, and David agrees with the future plan. D.W. is jealous about this and thinks that it's against the law. David decides to make D.W. a cake for her school as well.

The next day, Arthur sees Ms. Sweetwater's class eating cake. Mr. Ratburn goes to drop off an important letter. Arthur sees the class enjoying his cake when Francine catches him honoring the class. Mr. Ratburn returns and tells the class about spring reading. Mr. Ratburn shortly leaves again to have a piece of cake. Arthur realizes that everyone liked his cake, the same manner.

When Arthur comes home, he tells David about making another dessert for a band recital. Arthur tells David that performers need the kind of energy from sugar. David sees some important orders, Arthur pleads David for another dessert and tells him that he's the most popular and also 20 members in Arthur's band. Jane sees Arthur walking out and says to David that he's getting carried away with the idea. David also remembers the time Arthur wasn't able to taste the "chocolate-dipped ham". David thinks he could cope with making a few more desserts. That night, David is making the desserts and notices one type of frosting that tastes disgusting.

The next day, Buster tells Arthur that the cake was the best dessert. Mr. Ratburn comes in and notices cake inside, he grabs a plate and serves himself a piece. Francine compliments Arthur as being "the popular kid in school".

Later the next day, Arthur goes down the hallway and some students high five him about the cake. He spots Fern and offers to have her a cake made for her upcoming birthday. At lunch, Francine and Muffy are eating outside and Muffy unwraps a snack cake that greatly resembles the Hostess Ho-Ho and the Little Debbie Swiss Roll. Arthur bears witness to this and scoffs at her dessert of choice. Now clearly developing an ego, Arthur even goes as far to tell Francine and Sue Ellen to give him a call the next time that Francine's mom is having a bake sale.

When school is out, Arthur is about to get on his bike when he spots the Brain and the Brain's mom giving her extra ice cream to Buster, Francine, Binky, and an unnamed male sheep. Binky states that ice cream is the best dessert in the world. Arthur is horrified and convinced that the Brain is "moving in on his dessert territory." At home, Arthur has created his most demanding order yet, consisting of: 4 cakes, 6 pies, and sachertorte (a type of Austrian chocolate torte). He asks his mom if she knows where David is, but she tells him that while David does like to do the things for Arthur, all the extra desserts have been putting a real toll on his regular cooking, and then asks Arthur if he believes it is fair for David to be doing all this extra works. Arthur admits it isn't, and decides to wait awhile before asking him to make any more desserts. Jane approves of his answer and kisses him on the head.

A mere hour and a half later, (which Arthur decides is enough waiting), Arthur goes into the garage to see David talking to [[Ed Crosswire]] about why the food for his party isn't ready. David apologizes and says that he had a "special cake order" to fill (obviously the cakes that he made for Arthur) and promises that everything will be done in two hours. Ed agrees to this, and informs him that otherwise he would have to take his business somewhere else.

D.W. discovers a disappointed Arthur and asks what's wrong. He informs her that David's business has been behind with all the cakes being made and because of him, David may end up losing Mr Crosswire's business. D.W. misinterprets this to mean that David would lose his catering business, thus causing the family to have no money and lose their house and end up on the street. 

Arthur corrects her, only for D.W. to then believe that they would have almost no money and their furniture would end up on the street. When Arthur wonders what to do now, as he needs those desserts (while holding up the piece of paper with the orders on them), D.W. demands "Throw it away — your crazy demands will destroy us!" 

She then tries to take the piece of paper away from Arthur, and Arthur replies with "Give it back!" A tug-of-war ensues over the paper.

When David appears and asks what's going on, they stop fighting; D.W. tells David that Arthur ruined the business and to "put him on the street first." 

A surprised David turns to Arthur, who admits that he was only using the desserts to make himself popular. He rips up his order, apologizing for making him get behind in his work. David is understanding and reaffirms what Jane said about his willing to help out Arthur, but only if he is asked instead of told. To make it up to him, Arthur agrees to help fill the Crosswire order. D.W also volunteers, but not before reminding everyone that Arthur is to blame for the mess.

The trio gets to work — doing everything from cutting up vegetables to measuring ingredients to washing dishes. Pal even assists by transporting bowled ingredients across the kitchen via the red wagon. By the time they are done, Arthur and D.W. are exhausted. Arthur is shown to have a new-found appreciation for the amount of work that cooking requires.

David thanks them for their help before revealing that thanks to their assistance, he had enough time to make a second cake for the family. 

As if on cue, Mr. Ratburn appears at the door with the spring reading list, once again saying, “Oh, are you having cake?” This, in turn, causes Arthur to roll his eyes and proclaim, “Oh brother.”

Mr. Crosswire, now once again on friendly terms with David, returns and leaves with his order. Mr. Ratburn gets a whiff of brownie cake, and hungrily drives off after Ed.

==Characters==
===Major===
*[[David Read]]
*[[Arthur Read]]
*[[Nigel Ratburn]]
*[[D.W. Read]]
*[[Buster Baxter]]
*[[Binky Barnes]]
*[[Francine Frensky]]
*[[Alan Powers|The Brain]]
*[[Muffy Crosswire]]
===Minor===
*[[Jane Read]]
*[[Kate Read]]
*[[Miss Sweetwater]]
*[[Mrs. Powers]]

===Cameo===
*[[3rd Grade Male Dog (Number 3)]]
*[[Fern Walters]]
*[[Jessica Simmons|Jessica]]
*[[Sue Ellen Armstrong]]
*[[3rd Grade Female Cat (Number 2)]]
*[[Alex]]
*[[Maria Pappas]]
*[[3rd Grade Female Aardvark]]
*[[Jenna Morgan]]
*[[George Lundgren]]
*[[Prunella Deegan]]
*[[3rd Grade Male Rat]]
*[[3rd Grade Male Dog]]
*[[Mary (3rd grader)|Mary]]
*[[Mrs. Fink]]
*[[Bitzi Baxter]]
*[[4th Grade Male Rabbit]]
*[[Mrs. Armstrong]]
*[[Ms. Krasny]]
*[[Helen]]
*[[3rd Grade Male Cat]]
*[[Millicent Crosswire]]
*[[Kiefer]]
*[[Kenny]]
*[[Jessica Simmons|Jessica]]
*[[Steve]]
*[[Brian (4th grader)|Brian]]
*[[3rd Grade Male Dog (Number 3)]]
*[[3rd Grade Female Aardvark (Number 2)]]
*[[Rattles]]
*[[Molly MacDonald]]
*[[Fletcher]]
*[[Billy]]
*[[Patrick]]
===Mentioned===
*[[Galileo]]

==Trivia==
*Arthur mentioned that [[Fern Walters|Fern]]'s birthday was "coming up", meaning that her birthday is shortly after February 15, Galileo's birthday (unless he was mistaken).
*It is revealed Mr. Ratburn apparently loves cake — especially David Read's. This is further explored in [[The Rat Who Came to Dinner]].
*'''Running Gag:''' Mr. Ratburn telling classes that he thought they want to see the spring reading list, only to get interrupted by cakes. 
*'''Timeline:''' David tells D.W. that he'd love to make desserts for her school. While we don't see him make desserts for her preschool class, he does bring desserts to D.W.'s kindergarten class in "Arthur's First Day".
===Errors===
*When Arthur tells his dad, "You're more popular than Bionic Bunny!" David is replaced by [[Alan Powers|The Brain]].
*[[Prunella Deegan|Prunella]] was seen in Mr. Ratburn's class when she is in the 4th grade.
*[[Galileo]]'s birthday is February 15, and there are no Valentine's Day decorations leftover in the hallways from yesterday. Also, there is no snow on the ground outside, despite [[Elwood City]] being a city that gets snow in the winter.
*When Arthur looks at the clock, it says 6:50, but Mr. Crosswire says it's 4:00.
=== Cultural references ===
* Mr. Ratburn teaches the class about {{W|Galileo Galilei}}, who did not invent, but greatly improved, the telescope.
* The Leaning Tower of Pisa cake likely references the apocryphal story of {{W|Galileo's_Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa_experiment|Galileo dropping objects}} of different weight off the tower.

==Home Video==
'''DVD:'''

*[[Arthur's Tasty Treats (DVD)|Arthur's Tasty Treats]]
*[[Arthur: The Complete Series 4]]
'''VHS:'''
*[[Arthur's Tasty Treats (VHS)|Arthur's Tasty Treats]]

==Gallery==
{{CollapsingGallery|
===Screenshots===
<gallery widths="180">
DDD 1.jpg
DDD 2.jpg
DDD 3.jpg
DDD 4.jpg
DDD 5.jpg
DDD 6.jpg
DDD 7.jpg
DDD 8.jpg
DDD 9.jpg
DDD 10.jpg
DDD 11.jpg
DDD 12.jpg
DDD 13.jpg
DDD 14.jpg
DDD 15.jpg
DDD 16.jpg
DDD 18.jpg
DDD 19.jpg
DDD 20.jpg
DDD 21.jpg
DDD 22.jpg
DDD 23.jpg
DDD 24.jpg
DDD 25.jpg
DDD 26.jpg
DDD 27.jpg
DDD 28.jpg
DDD 29.jpg
DDD 30.jpg
DDD 31.jpg
DDD 32.jpg
DDD 33.jpg
DDD 34.jpg
DDD 35.jpg
DDD 36.jpg
DDD 37.jpg
DDD 38.jpg
DDD 39.jpg
DDD 40.jpg
DDD 41.jpg
DDD 42.jpg
DDD 43.jpg
DDD 44.jpg
DDD 45.jpg
DDD 46.jpg
DDD 47.jpg
DDD 48.jpg
DDD 49.jpg
DDD 50.jpg
DDD 51.jpg
DDD 52.jpg
DDD 53.jpg
DDD 54.jpg
DDD 55.jpg
DDD 56.jpg
DDD 57.jpg
DDD 58.jpg
DDD 59.jpg
DDD 60.jpg
DDD 61.jpg
DDD 62.jpg
DDD 63.jpg
DDD 64.jpg
DDD 65.jpg
DDD 66.jpg
DDD 67.jpg
DDD 68.jpg
DDD 69.jpg
DDD 70.jpg
DDD 71.jpg
DDD 72.jpg
DDD 73.jpg
DDD 74.jpg
DDD 75.jpg
DDD 76.jpg
DDD 77.jpg
DDD 78.jpg
DDD 79.jpg
DDD 80.jpg
DDD 81.jpg
DDD 82.jpg
DDD 83.jpg
DDD 84.jpg
DDD 85.jpg
DDD 86.jpg
DDD 87.jpg
DDD 88.jpg
DDD 89.jpg
DDD 90.jpg
DDD 91.jpg
DDD 92.jpg
DDD 93.jpg
DDD 94.jpg
DDD 95.jpg
DDD 96.jpg
DDD 97.jpg
DDD 98.jpg
DDD 99.jpg
DDD 100.jpg
DDD 101.jpg
DDD 102.jpg
DDD 103.jpg
DDD 104.jpg
DDD 105.jpg
DDD 106.jpg
DDD 107.jpg
DDD 108.jpg
DDD 109.jpg
DDD 110.jpg
DDD 111.jpg
DDD 112.jpg
DDD 113.jpg
DDD 114.jpg
DDD 115.jpg
DDD 116.jpg
DDD 117.jpg
DDD 118.jpg
DDD 119.jpg
DDD 120.jpg
DDD 121.jpg
DDD 122.jpg
DDD 123.jpg
DDD 124.jpg
DDD 125.jpg
DDD 126.jpg
DDD 127.jpg
DDD 128.jpg
DDD 129.jpg
DDD 130.jpg
DDD 131.jpg
DDD 132.jpg
DDD 133.jpg
DDD 134.jpg
DDD 135.jpg
DDD 136.jpg
DDD 137.jpg
DDD 138.jpg
DDD 139.jpg
DDD 140.jpg
DDD 141.jpg
DDD 142.jpg
DDD 143.jpg
DDD 144.jpg
DDD 145.jpg
DDD 146.jpg
DDD 147.jpg
DDD 148.jpg
DDD 149.jpg
DDD 150.jpg
DDD 151.jpg
DDD 152.jpg
DDD 153.jpg
</gallery>}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{EpisodeNav|3}}
[[Category:Season 3 episodes]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Arthur episodes]]
[[Category:1998]]