Pound Cake / history and recipes

I've seen a number of recipes for Pound Cake on other blogs. I thought Id' look into the history and post it.

1700s - The Pound Cake is a British creation that dates back to the early 1700s.

1796 - In the 1796 cookbook American Cookery: or, The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry and Vegetables, and the Best Modes of Making Puff-pastes, Pies, Tarts, Puddings, Custards and Preserves, and all kinds of Cakes, from the Imperial Plumb to plain Cake by Amelia Simmons, she includes two recipes. This was the first cookbook authored by an American and published in the United States.

POUND CAKE - One pound fugar, one pound butter, one pound flour, ten eggs, rofe water one gill, spices to our tafte; watch it well, it will bake in a flow oven in 15 minutes.

Another (called) POUND CAKE - Work three quarters of a pound butter, one pound of good fugar, till very white, whip ten whites to a foam, add the yolks and beat together, add one fpoon rofe water, two of brandy, and put the whole to one and a quarter of a pound flour, if yet to foft add flour and bake flowly.

1800s - By the mid 1800's pound cake recipes began to deviate slightly from the original formula to make a lighter cake.

1881 - The Pound Cake has traditionally been a popular dessert in the southern states. The first known cookbook written an African-American, Abby Fisher, calledWhat Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking. Mrs. Fisher, born a slave, somehow found her way to San Francisco soon after the Civil War and created a life and business there manufacturing and selling "pickles, preserves, brandies, fruits, etc. Mrs. Fisher could not read or write. It is said that her friends wrote down her recipes and helped her publish her cookbook. Her cookbook includes two Pound Cake recipes.

1900s - Artificial leaveners (baking powder/soda) were added. Today, pound cakes use different proportions of the same ingredients as the original formula to produce a lighter cake.

In the original recipe, no leaveners were used,other than the air whipped into the batter.

The original recipe consisted of 1 pound of Butter, 1 pound of Sugar, 1 pound of Flour and 1 pound of Eggs.
In times when many people couldn't read, this made it simple to remember the recipe.
The recipe changed over the years but the name didn't.

Here are the equivalent measurements for 1 pound:

Butter = 2C
Sugar = 2 C
Flour = 4 C
Eggs = 12


Here's the closest recipe I could find to an original Pound Cake:

Grease 3 8x4 loaf pans with butter ( today, I use my Pan Release recipe)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2 C Butter
2 C Sugar
4 C Flour
1 dozen Eggs
2/3 C Milk ( this is the only change that I found in my research) some recipes called for lemon juice and zest, but I know that lemons in the 1700's would have been scarce so I chose the recipe with milk. Otherwise you can omit the milk and add 1/4 C lemon juice and 1 TBS lemon zest.

The preparation is quite basic:

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, it would have originally been done by hand
Beat in eggs, one at a time
Beat in flour alternately with milk
( I like the addition of 2 spoons of Brandy from the history recipe above)

Pour into pans
Bake 70 minutes at 350 degrees
remove from oven
loosen edges with a knife
cool in pans for 10 minutes
remove cakes to a wire rack and cool completely



1700's British Pound Cake:

1lb. (2 C) sugar
1 lb. (2 C) butter, room temperature
1 lb. (4 C) flour
1 dozen eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 C fresh lemon juice
1 TBS fresh lemon zest

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1- Tube Pan greased with my Pan Release Mix ( equal parts of flour, Crisco, vegetable oil, mix well and store in a jar in the refrigerator) I start with 1 C of each, I always have some available in the refrigerator.

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment :
sugar
butter
Beat until light and creamy

Add each egg, one at a time, mixing well.
Gradually add flour, 1/4 C at a time.
Add lemon juice and zest.
Pour batter into the pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 to 1 hour and 30 minutes,
A toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Cool on the pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes.
Release the cake and cool completely on a cooling rack.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Deep Chocolate Pound Cake:

Deep, is that deeper than Dark, I don't know, but I like a Deep Dark Chocolate Pound Cake.
I did a Blog about Pound Cake, the History and recipes.
I wanted to post this one separately and I'll add it to my Pound Cake post too.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 Loaf Pan, I think the regular size is approximately 9" X 5", brushed well with Pan Release Mix. (Equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each , mixed well and refrigerated in a jar. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.


1 1/2 C Cake Flour, this is not regular Flour so make sure it's Cake Flour.
1/4 TBS Salt
1/4 C Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder, this is important too, don't use a Natural Cocoa Powder.
2 oz. Semi Sweet Chocolate, roughly chopped.
2 TBS Medaglia d'Oro Instant Espresso Coffee
1/4 C Boiling Water
1/2 C Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla
16 TBS (2 sticks) Butter, room temperature
1 C granulated Sugar
3 Egg Yolks, room temperature
1 C Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips

In a small bowl:
1 C of the Chocolate Chips
1 tsp of the  Flour
Stir to coat the Chips and set aside.

In a small bowl:
Flour
Salt
Whisk and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl:
Cocoa
Chopped Chocolate
Espresso
Boiling Water
Whisk well and set aside.

In a small bowl:
Buttermilk
Vanilla
Whisk and set aside.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
Sugar
Beat 5 minutes.

Add:
Egg Yolks, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each one.

Add:
Cocoa mixture
Mix just until combined.

Add:
Flour alternating with Buttermilk.

Add:
Chocolate Chips and mix just until mixed in.

Pour batter into the pan.
Bake 1 hour.
Check after 55 minutes. A toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Remove the pan to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.

Invert the cake right side up on a Parchment Paper lined race and cool completely.
Slice and serve with Whipped Cream.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


This is a Dump Cake version of Pound Cake. It's easy and delicious. It can be enjoyed plain or with garnishes that I've recommended at the end of the recipe.

Dump Cakes are very American. I have several recipes for the Iconic Dump Cake on my Blog.

Make sure all of the ingredients are at room temperature before making the cake. And then...... dump all of the ingredients in the bowl of a Stand Mixer with a paddle attachment. It's easy.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

1 - Bundt Pan brushed well with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) 

I start with 1 C of each, mix well and refrigerate in a jar.

I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

It's the only mix I use for cake release. It works with all intricate Bundt Pan designs.

4 C Flour

3 C Granulated Sugar

1 Pound  (4 sticks) Butter, room temperature

3/4 C Whole Milk, room temperature

6 Large Eggs, room temperature

3 tsp Vanilla

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment, on low speed:

Flour

Sugar

Butter

Milk

Eggs

Vanilla

Beat on low speed for 1 minute.

Increase speed for an additional 2 minutes.

Pour the batter into the pan.

Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.

Remove the pan to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.

Invert the cake onto a Parchment Paper lined rack and cool completely.

Serve with these garnish options:

Dust with Confectioner's Sugar

Lemon or Vanilla Glaze

Rum or Bourbon Sauce

Raspberry Jam

Whipped Cream

Vanilla Ice Cream

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

I like the simplicity of Pound Cake and this recipe sounds good to me.
I did a story on the blog called Pound Cake / history and recipes. 
You can search for it on the Blog, it's interesting.

Honey Pound Cake:

1/4 C honey

1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 1/3 C sugar

5 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 C flour, sifted

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt
Confectioner's Sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
Grease a Loaf Pan with my Pan Release Mix (equal parts of flour, vegetable oil and flour, I start with a cup of each and keep it in a jar in the refrigerator) I always have it available for all of by baking needs.

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment:
Butter
Sugar
Honey
Beat until creamy at least 3 minutes
Beat in eggs one at a time
Add vanilla
Add flour, baking powder and salt
Beat until smooth 

Pour batter into the pan
Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean
Cool in the pan on a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes
Invert onto a serving platter
Optional: Dust with Confectioner's Sugar

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Toddy Coffee / there truly is a Hippy in the Kitchen!

I made it in the 60's and I'm making it today!
When the brewing process is complete, I'll make a Toddy Torte.


You'll need a Toddy Coffee maker.
1- 12 oz. Bag of Coffee Grounds.

Here's the process for the coffee:
Place the cork in the bottom of the brewer.
Wet the reusable filter and place it in the bottom of the brewer.

 Add 1 cup of water into the bottom of the Toddy brewing container and 6 ounces (2 C) of ground coffee. Slowly pour 3 more cups of water over the grounds, in a circular motion. Then, add the remaining 6 ounces (2 C) of ground coffee. Finally, wait 5 minutes and slowly add the last 3 cups of water.
Tamp it gently with the back of a Tablespoon so the coffee on the top is wet. Do not stir it.

Let the Toddy Brewer sit for 10 - 12 hours , 24 for stronger coffee. ( I generally wait 22 hours)
When the cold brewing is complete, lift the top, remove the cork, place the top back on the glass decanter and let the concentrated coffee filter into the decanter.
Refrigerate when complete.
To make coffee:
Use 1 1/2 ounces (3 TBS)  of concentrate in a coffee cup and add 1C of Boiling Water for Hot Coffee or  Cold Water and add Ice for Iced Coffee.

Recipes include:
Toddy Cafe Brulot (prepared in a chafing dish and flavored with cloves ,brandy, brown sugar and lemon peel)
The Toddy Continental ( made with coriander, allspice red wine and orange)
Toddy Ice Cream Pie
Toddy Hopper Pie
Tall Toddy's ( made with Irish Whiskey, Amaretto Liqueur, Frangelica Liqueur , Cointreau or Creme de Cacao)
Toddy Bavarian Cream 
Toddy Butter Creme Icing
Mocha Toddy Butter Creme Icing
Toddy Torte , my favorite!

The inspiration for the Toddy maker came to Houston from Guatemala, where Todd Simpson, a garden nursery owner on a plant-gathering trip in the early 1960s, ordered coffee in a small cafe. "They sat a little urn of coffee concentrate and boiling water in front of him ," said his son, Strother Simpson. "He tasted it, and he thought it was the best cup of coffee he ever had." 

Todd Simpson brought the idea home to his wife. "He sort of made a contraption to make this coffee," said his son, in a Texas accent as thick as coffee syrup. His mother had a delicate stomach and couldn't tolerate coffee, but her system handled the cold-brewed coffee just fine. That was enough for Todd, who invented a simple concentrate maker -- soon dubbed "Toddy" after its inventor -- and started a business in his garage. Forty years and thousands of Toddy makers later, Strother runs the business. 

Todd Simpson had a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell, so of course he tested his coffee to learn why it was so tasty and gentle on the stomach. Simpson claimed that brewing coffee in hot water leaches out acids, fatty acids and other unpleasant substances, all of which end up in your cup. A cold-process coffeemaker leaves that nasty stuff behind. According to the Toddy company, lab tests have found 3 to 4 times more acid in hot-brewed coffee.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tropical Carrot Cake from The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather

Tropical Carrot Cake from The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather.
I've adapted the recipe without changing the integrity of the original one.

This is definitely a Best of the Best Recipe.

This is the only Carrot Cake I make. I believe it's the best I have ever tasted.  I hope you take some time to try this recipe if you love Carrot Cake.

This is the best Carrot Cake we have ever eaten.
Rebecca is the daughter of Dan Rather and had a Restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas called The Pink Pig.
Since posting this Blog, the restaurant has closed.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3 - 9" Cake Pans brushed well with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each mixed well and refrigerated in a jar. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.


Cake:

1 C Macadamia Nuts
3 C Flour
3 C granulated Sugar
1 TBS Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 TBS Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 1/2 C Sweetened Flaked Coconut
4 Large Eggs
2 TBS Vanilla
1 1/2 C Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 C Shredded peeled Carrots
1 1/2 C Crushed Pineapple, drained.
1/2 C Sweetened Cream of Coconut ( Coco Lopez)

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 (8oz.) packages of Cream Cheese, room temperature
1/2 C Confectioner's Sugar
1/4 C Heavy Cream
1/4 C Coco Lopez
1/2 tsp Salt


Arrange the Nuts on a sheet pan and roast them for 7 - 8 minutes.
Set aside until they're cool enough to chop.

Place one oven rack 1/3 from the bottom of the oven and the second one 2/3 from the bottom.

In a large mixing bowl:
Flour
Sugar
Baking Soda
Salt
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Coconut
Chopped Nuts
Whisk well.

In a medium mixing bowl:
Eggs
Vanilla
Oil
Carrots
Pineapple
Cream of Coconut
Whisk well.

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine well. Do not over mix.

Pour the batter equally among the 3 cake pans.
Stagger the pans in the oven so that they're not directly over each other.
Place 2 pans on 1 rack and the third pan on the other rack.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
A toothpick in the center should come out clean and the tops should be golden brown.

Remove the pans to a rack and cool for 10 minutes.
Invert the cakes onto Parchment Paper lined racks to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment on medium high speed:
Cream Cheese
Confectioner's Sugar
Beat for 1 -3 minutes.

Add:
Heavy Cream
Cream of Coconut
Salt
Beat just to combine.

Place 1 layer of cake on a serving platter.
Spread with a thick layer of frosting.
Add the second layer of cake.
Spread with a thick layer of frosting.
Add the third layer and frost the top and sides of the cake with an even layer of frosting.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

White Barbecue Sauce....... Try it Y'all!

I don't know how I get on these food kicks, but my latest research has been about White Barbecue Sauce..... Who knew?
White Barbecue Sauce was developed in the Southern United States, or as we say, "in the South"
In Alabama it's the sauce of choice for a marinade and a dip. Fans of white sauce claim that once you try it on grilled meats and vegetables, you'll never go back to a red sauce. I suppose you can use it for a dip with Buffalo Wings. I would use it on Veggie burgers cooked on the grill, and I'd use it as a vegetable dip. I will also use it on my vegetarian Chik'n Breasts.
I'm open to new food ideas and this intrigues me.
I'm going to give it a try!
There as many recipes available and after intensive research, this is my choice.

White Barbecue Sauce:

3/4 C mayonnaise
1/3 C apple cider vinegar
1/4 C apple juice
1 TBS garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 TBS horseradish
1/4 C fresh lemon juice
1 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp salt

Whisk all ingredients together and pour into a jar.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before using.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Dallas Morning News Recipe of the Week!

Here's my pick for the recipe from this week's Taste section in the Dallas Morning News.

Super Lemon Bars , Alicia Ross  

There was a recipe for  Real Banana Pudding too, but I've posted my recipe for the Best of the Best Banana Pudding. I've tried many recipes and I'm convinced that mine is truly the best Banana Pudding!


So, I chose to post the Super Lemon Bars.


1 Stick of Butter, room temperature
1/4 C Confectioner's Sugar, plus more for Dusting
1 1/2 C Flour, divided
pinch of Salt
4 Eggs
1 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 TBS Lemon Zest

Butter the bottom of an 8"x8" Pan.
The recipe recommends that you cut two pieces of Parchment Paper that rises over the sides and cut to fit the edge to prevent fire, Buttering both sheets of paper.  It helps to lift the Bars out of the Pan.

I  Grease the Pan with my Pan Release Recipe and cut & serve the bars from the pan. Choose which method you prefer.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Crust:
In  a Stand Mixer
Cream:
Butter
1/4 C Confectioner's Sugar.

With the Mixer on Low, with a Paddle Attachment:

Add:
1 C  Flour
Salt
Mix just until combined well.

Using Floured Hands:
Shape the Dough into a Ball and Press into the Pan, spreading to the edges.
Place in the Freezer for 10 minutes

Bake 20 minutes.
Remove from Oven and leave the Oven on

While Crust is Baking, use the Whisk Attachment and Whisk the Eggs and 1 C  Granulated Sugar for two minutes on High ,until Light and Fluffy.

Reduce speed to Medium  Low.
Add:
Lemon Juice
Zest
Remaining  1/2 C Flour.
Mix well.

Pour Filling over Crust.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

Cool to Room Temperature on a Rack

If using the Parchment Paper liner, lift the Bars from the Pan, using the Paper.
Cut into Bars.

If not, Cut Bars and remove to a Serving Platter.

Using a small Sieve, dust the tops of the Bars with Confectioner's Sugar before serving.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tropical Salad

This is another vintage recipe from a family recipe file.
It's another All American Dessert that's crazy but delicious!
I could certainly write and entire segment on Jello Salads.

1 package( 6 oz.) Lemon Jello
2 C boiling water
2 C Ginger Ale ( I was raised on Vernor's and it's the only one I'll use)
1 can ( 20oz.) crushed pineapple ( drain and save the juice)
1 C miniature marshmallows
2 bananas, sliced
1/2 C sugar
2 TBS flour
1 egg, beaten
2 TBS butter
1 C heavy cream, whipped

In a bowl , dissolve Jello in boiling water
Stir in Ginger Ale
Refrigerate until partially set

Fold into Jello:
pineapple
marshmallows
banana

Pour into a 9"x13" casserole dish
Refrigerate until firm

Make the Topping:
Combine sugar and flour in a saucepan.
Whisk in pineapple juice and egg
Cook on low heat until thickened,, stirring constantly

Remove from heat , add butter until well combined, transfer to a bowl
Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until completely cooled
Fold whipped cream into cooled mixture and Frost the Jello with the topping and chill overnight.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Eggs Baked in an Avocado!

These were baked for about 23 minutes. The yolks are firm

I recently read about eggs baked in an avocado.

I adapted this recipe from several variations.

For each person, plan on 1/2 avocado and 1 egg.

lime juice

salt & pepper to taste

chopped green onion

bacon bits

salsa

Cut each avocado in half and remove the pit.

Remove some of the center of the avocado just to make room to accommodate an egg. This step is important so the whites don't overflow and burn.

Slice off a thin portion of the bottom so they lay flat

Drizzle with lime juice

Season with salt and pepper

Place them in a casserole or a small cast iron skillet to hold them snugly!

Crack 1 egg into each half.

Bake at 450 for 15 - 20  minutes. ( mine took 20 minutes) longer if you want a well cooked yolk.

Serve topped with sliced green onion and bacon bits.

Serve with your favorite Salsa.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

These were baked for 20 minutes