Monday, November 19, 2007

A Gift from my Mother...Grace Douglas Valverde

I've been doing some heavy cleaning today, trying to play catch up with the weekend that I missed. You know, it's that medicine thing. I'm sure that all is going to go well where that is concerned, I have no doubt. That's what makes it work, my belief in the power of myself. So, I'm moving the cook books around and dusting under them, packing up knick knacks so I have a place for my Snowmen...I have a lot of snowmen...I love snowmen. There is this cookbook that my mother gave to me a few years before she passed. It's the White House Cookbook from 1918. As I was dusting it and flipping through the pages I found a recipe for her Gold Cake with Butter Cream Icing. It actually fell out and landed on my feet. This is a cake that she was famous for, and I'm not sure but I think we sort of renamed it the "Mama, Make that Good Cake ". You know, I love Paula Deen, but my Mama could cook circles around her. Paula darlin', you ain't got nothin' on my Mama...So since Mama gave me this gift, and you know darned well that I know she gave me this gift...I've had this cookbook for at least ten years, I've cooked from it before, and until now, the "Mama Make that Good Cake" recipe has hidden from me. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I forgave her for going and dying on me this week? Denial lasted a long time too, my friends. I think she would like for me to share it with my friends, so here is a gift from my Mama, to you. I hope your kids and grandkids will be saying "Mama make that Good Cake" for many years to come.



Mama Make that Good Cake:

Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter

2 cups confectioners sugar

6 egg yolks

6 tablespoons sour cream

1 3/4 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda (omit if sweet milk is used in place of the sour cream)

2 teaspoons lemon flavoring

1 teaspoon Yellow food coloring



Method:

Cream butter and confectioners sugar, add 1 yolk at a time, beating well after each . Add sour cream and beat well. Add flour mixed with baking powder and soda. Add lemon flavoring and yellow food coloring and beat well. Pour batter evenly into 2 nine inch cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on rack for five minutes, then turn out and continue till thoroughly cooled. Frost with Lemon Butter Cream Frosting



Lemon Butter Cream Frosting:

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, softened to room temperature

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 cups sifted confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice (or light cream, I use lemon juice)

1 teaspoon lemon flavoring



Method:

With electric mixer at "cream" mix butter, salt, 1 cup of sugar until light, add the rest of the sugar and lemon juice and beat until very smooth. Add lemon flavoring and blend well. Enough to frost two cake layers...



I hope you enjoy this cake. We did for years. It's one of those things that when the person who prepared it is gone and you don't know how it was made can be lost forever. You know, her name was Grace. She was pretty amazing. And now when I sing "I once was lost but now am found", it will have an entirely new meaning for me.

25 comments:

Justabeachkat said...

Oh, what a sweet post! And, oh boy, does that cake sound wonderful!!! I'm making a copy of this recipe, pronto! Thanks.

Hugs!
Kat

Vee said...

Sniff, sniff, sniff. Thanks, Sandi, I needed that, I think. I love that the recipe floated out and landed at your feet...just like a God breeze if ever there was one. I've snagged this recipe and when I make it I'll be sure to let you know. Take care now...don't overdo!

Pam said...

Yum! That sounds delish! I love lemon. Thanks for sharing it!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that sweet story (little lump in my throat) and Amazing Grace's "good cake". Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Lynn

Anonymous said...

Oh Sandi that is so sweet.I bet your mother was an awsome lady because she sure had a great daughter.
The recipe falling out it funny.. almost like she was dropping it saying okay old Gal get after it!

thisthatandblog said...

Sounds absolutely delicious -- I'm going to make it this weekend. Mothers and their daughters -- a very complicated relationship, isn't it? I miss mine every day, and she's been gone over ten years. Thanks for the recipe Grace!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Sandi, oh, what a sweet story with the cake. My mama makes some good cakes too, this one sounds wonderful. I don't make cakes all that often, but I sure did grow up on them. Mamas are so special to us & I'm sorry you have lost yours too soon.

Looking for what I'm supposed to see over here, did I miss something?! Thank you for stopping by, I always love to hear from you.

xo,
Rhoda

Tammy said...

Yep, I do believe you are meant to make that cake soon!!

It sounds wonderful! I love Paula Deen too but sometimes her recipes don't work out for me. But tried and true Momma recipes can't be beat!

I think you need a cyber ((((hug))))

kari and kijsa said...

WOW- we are in love with your post, your heart, and this amazing cake recipe! You are a doll to share not just the recipe, but the tribute behind it. Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving.

hugs,
kari & kijsa

Country Cottage Chic said...

Thank you Sandi (and Grace) for sharing that with us all.

Mockingbird Hill said...

Oh boy...comfort food with a message! This recipe sounds divine and so does the way it found it's way back to you. ;) Thanks for sharing this special part of your Mom...and you.

Love ya...Cassie

Debra from Bungalow said...

What a precious gift from your mama. I think that was a sign that she is glad you forgave her.
Hugs, DebraK

Unknown said...

Hi Sandi!

What a nice post and isn't it great to remember your Mom everytime you make this cake and I also love the name of it. Have a great week!

Mary said...

That sounds like a great cake. Is confectioners sugar the same as icing sugar? If so I will give it a go but do you know that no one makes cakes like your mother!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandi, we have been MIA for a few days with packing but we are on top if it, hopefully:) Now you have gone and made us all teary!! Such a sweet post hon, that is amazing it floated out like that like a mesage from Mom! We have saved your Momma's recipe and it will be the first cake we bake in our new kitchen and we'll share it with you :) Thank for sharing Sandi, keep well :) Can;t wait till the Postman arrives at your door! J & J

Unknown said...

What a wonderful gift your mums left behind, such a great way to embrace her, many little tummies will be fed because of Graces recipe.Thank you for sharing it with us Sandi. My lemons seem to be growing so I shall wait till summer. I love cake recipes and I know this will be handy come summer. Can't wait to try. Shall tell you all about it when I do.
Ta and hugs,
Adla

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

That is what makes this recipe special. I am saving it for a special treat!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

OK, Sandi, now I get it...I'm a little slow some Mondays, LOL. That is a very nice gift indeed, I have heard of a lot of women who don't like to share their recipes, so I know you are thrilled that this one is intact & straight from her pen! It looks like a fantastic cake, so I will print it out & keep it too. Maybe one of these days, I'll need a great cake recipe & I'll get this one out.

xo,
Rhoda

Terri Steffes said...

What a sweet gift! Anytime I can get a good cake recipe I am feeling fine! Thanks for the sweet comments on my birthday--dearly appreciated!

Susie Q said...

Such a sweet post dear Sandi...such a precious tribute to your Mother. She was an amazing lady, just like you.
This sounds so good. I think your mama was telling you to share the recipe with all of us so we could know her better. This recipe is going in my file for sure...with her name AND yours.
Grace...you KNOW that is my favorite name don't you? : )

Love,
Sue

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

Thanks for the recipe. I was telling my daughter this afternoon about it and that we'd most likely try it for Thanksgiving. We Southern folks know how to eat and know what's good, so I'm pretty sure if y'all named it, "Mama, Make That Good Cake", then it must be good.

Carol said...

Thank you for sharing Mama's Cake recipe. It is a lovely sweet story too.
Cakes with lemon in are always a fav with me.
Hugs,
XX

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

And you thought I could make this cake? You have one more piece of denial to work thru, madam...it's time to except the fact that I. CANNOT. COOK. Yes, it's shameful and yes, it makes me sad, but I've come to terms with it, as should you. So, having said that, I'll keep my eyes and ears open for someone who might be willing to make it FOR me. ha Susan is talking about coming to visit us before Christmas, maybe I can talk her into it...I guess, for our purposes, the boys can change the name of the cake to "Susan, make that Good Cake". lol

Jodie Adams said...

Well that just sounds so good. But I've never cooked with cake flour, weird. I will have to try this one day. That is really cool about you forgiving your mama. I know it must be hard to lose a parent, I don't even want to think on that. And you were right she probably was sending it to you.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Ooh Sandi-another recipe for us to try!! Thank-you so much for sharing it with all us bloggers and Happy Thanksgiving!! xx