White Cake

Another recipe from my great grandma Hazel's recipe exchange journal. It's a very simple and easy recipe for homemade White Cake by Lvene Thomas (1910-2004), my Great Aunt. Once again, I am amazed by all the different people (I am related to) who wrote in this journal.

Seated on the far right are my grandmothers Ruth Bolger (glasses) and Eileen Smith. Standing on the far right, is my great aunt Lvene Thomas (who wrote this recipe) and next to her is my great aunt Lillian Ford. I am sure my dad or mom can help name some of the other women in this photo.

I tried making this cake yesterday and it turned out great. I made a creamy white frosting with shortening, powdered sugar, vanilla, and skim milk. Yum!

White Cake

Ingredients

1/2 C. butter

1 1/2 C. sugar

1 C. water

1/2 tsp almond flavor

1/2 tsp vanilla flavor

3 C. pastry flour

5 tsp. baking powder

4 egg whites

Instructions

Cream the butter and sugar together until they are light. Add flavoring. Add about one third of the flour and water. Beat 100 strokes. Add remainder of flour and water and beat 100 strokes. Beat egg whites and add to mixture. The dough is again beaten 100 strokes. Pour into a greased pan and bake until done.

(The flour and baking powder should be sifted several times).

This is also very good with 1/3 C. black walnut meats added.

Arrion's Add On: Try baking at 350° for 25-30 minutes.

Recipe credit: Lvene Thomas (1910-2004)

Easy Chocolate Cake

I recently reviewed and scanned several recipe journals that belonged to my maternal Great Grandmother Hazel Wilson Bolger. This recipe is from a journal that appears to be part of a recipe exchange group. Several of my grandmothers, great aunts, and distant cousins wrote recipes in this journal.

This particular entry was written by my Grandmother Eileen Smith, May 5, 1945. This was just two days before Victory in Europe Day, the end of WWII. Many of the recipes do not include instructions for temperature or time. So, make your best educated guess... and watch carefully! I have not had time to try all the recipes, but when I do, I'll provide feedback on instructions.

Easy Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

Sift together the following 4 ingredients

1 3/4 C. flour

1 1/4 C. sugar

4 T. cocoa

pinch of salt

1 1/2 C. sour cream

2 eggs, beaten

2 t. soda dissolved in 1/4 C. boiling water

1 t. vanilla

Instructions

Combine beaten eggs and sour cream.

Add to dry ingredients. Beat well.

Add soda and vanilla.

Recipe Credit: Eileen Smith