Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake

Marilyn Says: You can substitute 2½ c. Softasilk cake flour for the sifted regular flour.

Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2⅓ c. sugar
  • ½ c. water, boiling
  • ½ c. shortening, softened
  • 1⅓ tsp salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 2⅓ c. sifted flour
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ c. cream
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 3 c. sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Melt 1 c. sugar in heavy skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Heat until melted to a golden brown syrup, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add boiling water & stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved. Pour into measuring cup ¼ c. of caramel mixture & add enough cold water to make 1 c. of liquid.
  2. Cream together the softened shortening & remaining sugar until fluffy. Beat in thoroughly eggs. Sift together the flour, baking powder, & 1 tsp. salt. Stir in alternately with caramel mixture. Pour into two 9" layer pans or 13"x9" oblong pan & bake 35 minutes in preheated 350°F oven.
  3. Heat together remaining caramel mixture, cream, & butter to make the burnt sugar frosting. Beat in the powdered sugar, salt, & vanilla extract.

 

Photo Courtesy of Personal Creations on Flickr

Nutmeg Feather Cake

Nutmeg Feather Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • ¼ c. butter
  • ¼ c. shortening
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1½ c. sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ - 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 c. buttermilk or sour milk
Instructions
  1. Cream together butter & shortening; gradually add sugar, creaming until light. Add vanilla & then eggs (one at a time), beating well after each.
  2. Sift together dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition.
  3. Pour into greased & lightly floured 13"x9"x2" pan.
  4. Bake in 350°F preheated oven for 30 minutes or until done.
  5. Cool & frost.

Photo Courtesy of brookpeterson on Flickr

Berry Buckle

Monica Says: We had this at a friend’s house for Thanksgiving and loved it so much we made it for Christmas!

Berry Buckle
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 c. flour
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ c. shortening
  • ¾ c. sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ c. milk
  • 2 c. fresh or frozen berries
  • ½ c. flour
  • ½ c. sugar
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ c. butter or margarine
Instructions
  1. Grease bottom & ½" up sides of a 9"x9"x2" baking pan.
  2. Combine the 2 c. flour, baking powder, & salt. In another mixing bowl, beat shortening for 30 seconds. Add the ¾ c. sugar.
  3. Beat on medium to high speed until light & fluffy. Add egg; beat well.
  4. Add dry mixture & milk alternately to beaten egg mixture, beating until smooth after each addition.
  5. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with fruit.
  6. Combine the ½ c. flour, ½ c. sugar, & cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over berries.
  7. Bake in a 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes or until golden.

Photo Courtesy of Sergey Kukota on Flickr

Gingerbread Cookies

Submitted by Happy13

Ingredients

½ c. shortening 6 tsp water
½ c. sugar ½ c. unsulphered molasses
1 egg yolk 2 c. flour
1 tsp ginger 1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves (scant) 1 tsp finely ground black pepper
½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt
2 dashes cayenne pepper

Directions

  1. Cream the shortening, water & sugar together until light & fluffy. Add the molasses & egg yolk & mix until well blended.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. If using a stand mixer, use stir. The dough will be sticky. 
  3. DO NOT ADD MORE FLOUR REGARDLESS OF HOW TEMPTED YOU MAY BE!!! Too much flour will make the cookies tough. Form into 2 flat disks & put in the freezer for at least an hour or more. 
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  5. When the dough is cold enough to handle, roll it to about ¼” thick between 2 pieces of wax paper (the wax paper keeps you from having to use more flour). I roll mine a little thinner because I like a little crispness on the edges. 
  6. Gently press together the scraps into another disk & put back in the freezer until ready for use. Bake for 8-10 minutes on parchment lined cookie sheets. Cool on pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely before decorating.

Chef’s Note: I use shortening instead of butter or margarine because shortening is flavorless and doesn’t impact the spices. I think butter is best served in sugar cookies. If you decide to substitute butter or margarine for the shortening, omit the water from the recipe.

Snickerdoodles

Submitted by Trish

Ingredients

½ c. butter 2 eggs
2 tsp cream of tartar 2 tsp cinnamon
½ c. shortening 2¾ c. flour
¼ tsp salt 1½ c. sugar
1 tsp baking soda 2 tbsp sugar

Directions

  1. Snickerdoodles by roboppy on FlickrHeat oven to 400°F. Mix butter, shortening, 1½ c. sugar & eggs. 
  2. Blend in flour, cream of tartar, salt & baking soda. 
  3. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls. 
  4. Mix 2 tbsp sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl. 
  5. Roll dough balls in cinnamon & sugar mixture. 
  6. Place 2 inches apart on an un greased cookie sheet. 
  7. Bake 8-10 min. or until set. Immediate remove from sheet & cool.