Grandma's Cakes
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I was thinking today about the way my grandmother baked cakes. Oh, how we
looked forward to them. But as I looked at her recipes I saw something that
surprised me and yet made me smile. She baked simple cakes. I have a feeling
that came out of the depression and also because my grandmother liked to use
what she had. I do remember her saying that all one needed for good cakes
were some flavorings, fruits and nuts and you could have a cake fit for a
king.
Than I saw she had many more fillings and frostings on her recipe pages. She has what she calls an everyday cake: Everyday Cake1/3 cup shortening1 1/2 cups sugar 2 cups flour sifted with 2 teaspoons baking powder 3 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla(or lemon) Cream shortening, add sugar gradually,continue to cream. Seperate the eggs. Beat eggs until thick and lemon colored. Add to creamed shortening and sugar; than add the flour and liquid alternately; fold in the well beaten whites of eggs and flavoring. Bake in 3 well greases layer-cake pans in a moderate oven.
Walnut Loaf cake.... Golden cake follow the everyday recipe, adding 4 egg yolks and 1 whole egg. Mix as directed adding the well beaten egg yolks and egg to creamed shortening and sugar. Bake in loaf or layers. Now to the icings and fillings: CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONER'S ICING AND FILLING2 squares unsweetened chocolate or 1/2 cup ground chocolate1 teaspoon butter 1 1/2 cups powered sugar 1/3 cup hot water 1 teaspoon vanilla Melt chocolate and butter over hot water. When melted add sugar, than hot water gradually,heating until smooth, than add flavoring. Let stand until thick enough to spread between the layers. if used for icing only, can be used at one time. **You can use cinnamon for flavoring or use hot coffee instead of hot water. Also chopped walnuts or raisins may be added. Do not put between layers while they are hot or the filling will melt. Caramel Icing and Filling1 1/2 cups brown sugar4 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon butter 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Put sugar in saucepan,add milk and stir until dissolved. Place over the heat until mixture begins to boil...cook 3 minutes. Take from heat and add butter, yurn into a cold bowl and beat until creamy and than add vanilla. This may be used as icing or filling.....1/3 cup chopped nuts can be added. Boiled icing1 1/2 cup sugarwhites of 2 eggs 1/2 cup hot water Add hot water to sugar(be careful not to stir so there will be sugar on sides of saucepan) cover and bring to boil,than remover cover and cook syrup until it will form a soft ball when rolled between the fingers in a cup of cold water, Pour on well beaten whites of eggs and beat until stiff. than flavor as wished.
Marshmallow Filling:
Macaroon Filling: French Cream Filling(Her favorite)1 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup flour 1 egg or 2 yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon butter Pour milk into double boiler to scald. Mix sugar and flour well, pour hot milk over flour and sugar and put back in double boiler. Stir constantly until somewhat thick; add beaten egg and continue to cook until thick. Cool and add the vanilla. This amount of cream filling will fill 8 cream puffs or a 3 layered cake.
Coconut Cream Filling:
Walnut cream Filling:
Chocolate French Cream:
Mocha Cream Filling: Prepare as French cream. You may want to add 1/2 cup whipped cream when cold. And lastly my favorite of her fillings! Strawberry Filling1 cup fresh strawberries1 cup sugar 1 egg white, unbeaten measure strawberries after washing and removing hulls. Add sugar and egg. beat together with a whip egg beater until as thick as whipped cream. This will take about 15 minutes...This is to be used as filling for everyday cake, sponge cake or cream puffs....use any other fruits in this manner... I loved this on her homemade shortcake.
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