Minnie's Caramel Cake

Minnie's Caramel Cake
Makes one 9­inch layer cake
Reprinted with permission from The Junior League of Memphis, Inc. from The Memphis Cookbook , 
1952; recipe submitted by Mrs. Phil Thornton, Jr.
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups unsifted cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 ½ cups buttermilk
For the cake:
Pre­heat the oven to 350°F. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium 
speed for about 20 minutes, or until mixture is light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and 
add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix until 
blended. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl. Slowly alternate adding 
buttermilk and flour mixture to the butter mixture; begin and end with flour mixture and 
make sure to scrape down sides of bowl frequently combined. Mix the batter until well­
blended and smooth. Prepare two 9­inch cake pans by lining the bottoms with parchment 
paper, buttering the side then dusting with flour. Divide the batter evenly among the two 
pans. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until cake is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted 
in the middle comes out clean. Remove the cakes from pans after cooling for 10 minutes 
and then cool completely on wire racks.
Creamy caramel frosting:
2 ½ cups sugar 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter ¾ cup 
whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix egg, butter, 2 cups of the sugar and milk in a 
saucepan and cook over a low flame until butter melts. In a skillet, caramelize the remain­
ing ½ cup of the sugar over medium heat until brown and runny then quickly add to the 
egg mixture. Cook until it reaches the soft­ball stage (or until the mixture leaves sides of 
pan), about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool slightly, then add the vanilla. Beat 
until right consistency to spread  (if it gets too thick, add a little cream).
To Finish Cake:
Place one layer on plate and, working quickly, cover the top of the cake with a thin layer of 
caramel frosting. Repeat with the next layer. Place top layer on and frost top, then sides, 
smoothing icing. Garnish with candied pecans and small white currants, if desired.

Joe's Nana's Famous Banana Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

 This is a family recipe and my husband's favorite.  He always gets this for his birthday.  I always buy the bananas well in advance because the more ripe they are, the more flavor that they will have. 

Joe’s Nana’s Banana Cake w/Peanut Butter Frosting

Cream together 1/2 cup shortening and 1 1/2 cups sugar.  Add 2 eggs that have been beaten until fluffy.
Sift together:  2 cups flour
        1/4 tsp baking powder
        3/4 tsp soda
        1/2 tsp salt

Add to other ingredients and mix for 2 minutes on low speed.  Add 1 cup mashed bananas (2 or 3 old bananas) 1/4 cup sour milk or buttermilk & 1 tsp vanilla.  (make your own buttermilk by adding 1 tsp vinegar to the 1/4 cup regular milk)  Beat until well blended, on medium speed of mixer.  Bake 30-35 minutes in 2 greased layer pans.  Oven at 350.

Frosting:
1 lb bag of powdered sugar creamed with 1 stick soft butter.  Add 4 tablespoons peanut butter and mix until spreading consistency.  Add milk as needed.

Pastry shell recipe

I found this recipe in some notes from a stash that Joe had.  It says that this was used since 1939 by Joe's Nana.  I need to try this someday!

2 cups flour sifted with scant tsp salt
Add all at once:  1/2 cup oil and 1/4 cup milk
Stir together with fork then shape with hands.  Divide dough in half. 
Roll each half between 2 sheets of wax paper until they are the correct size for you pie dish.  The thinner you roll it, the more crispy the crust will be. 

Home Improvement or Remodel

In case you are looking for a great company with fair prices, 5 Star service,  knowledgeable staff, professional installation:  contact Joe@ At Your Service Flooring Discounters in Ft. Worth, TX.  Office number is 817.831.3113 or email at flooringdiscounters@verizon.net. 

It's Official-Winter is over in Texas!

In case you haven't heard on the news lately-those of us in Texas (or Hell-as I like to refer to it)----we are in the middle of a heat wave and drought type conditions.  What it boils down to is this---I don't go outside right now--unless it is absolutely necessary.  It is oppressive out there and I feel for those that have to work in this weather.  My MS is making it difficult to even tolerate a few minutes outside.  Lucky for me, some friends got me a "Frogg Togg" or chilly pad.  It has saved my life on quite a few occasions.  Anyway, we are in day 38 of 100+ consecutive days.  We've had more than that for the season but that's just the consecutive number.  It's looking like we will tie the 1980 record this Friday and beat it on Saturday.  If you're from here-all summers are measured up against that hot-fest in 1980.  I keep trying to figure out where I can live that is pleasant all year long.  I haven't figured out where that paradise is and even if I did-it would probably be too expensive to live there.  :) 
Anyway, I'm going to try to be more diligent and keep my postings up to date.  Or at least not be months apart!  My classes in the Spring semester took way more of my time than I imagined they would and I think my brain was just burned out from all of it.  I've been giving it a rest this summer! 
So, that's my little update for now....

Hope all of you are staying cool!

Welcome to the gOOd life: S.T Collection headband giveaway

Welcome to the gOOd life: S.T Collection headband giveaway

"Baby-it's cold outside!"

This weather makes me wish our fireplace was operational.  It would be so toasty and warm.  Because at 18 degrees outside-it is way too cold for me!  Even the Yorkie, Sofie, won't go out in this frigid weather.  She looks out the door as if to say "You think I'm going out there?"  Dakota runs out does his business, then comes right back in.  So, we're at our 3rd day of ice here in Dallas, TX!  I'm ready for warmer weather but the weather guys say we may have snow tomorrow!  Geeeeezzzzz.  At least I think the rolling black outs are done.  Anyway, below is what Lucas' do when it's too cold to go anywhere!

I made 2 batches!  So that's almost 4 dozen of these beauties.  They aren't just pretty-they taste good, too!  This has been the best cutout cookie recipe that I have ever tried or made.  Most times in the past, the cookies just didn't make it from being cutout to the cookie sheet.  I made so many of these at Christmas and everyone loved them!  I just need to get the decorating down to perfection.  Joe and I decorated these.  It was a good project for both of us on an icy, cold winter day.

This weather is sure interfering with Super Bowl festivities!  I feel bad that all of the visitors for the big game aren't going to get a real idea of how great our state is!  I hope the fun can be salvaged in some way for them....
Well-I hope everyone is staying warm and toasty....
C-