Recipes

Baking has become almost a lost art in recent years.  Many people are so busy with careers and family that the thought of taking time to bake seems overwhelming.  At best, baking is done with a cake or brownie mix purchased at the local grocery store.  It is sad that many old-fashioned baking recipes are being lost in the current generation.  And the skill used to bake a wonderful cake is being forgotten.  People need to take the time to find and bake an old-fashioned cake recipe.

Where to Find an Old-Fashioned Cake Recipe

The best resource for old-fashioned cake recipes is older relatives.  Most mothers and grandmothers baked cakes in their homes and will have tried and tested recipes which they are happy to share.  These cake recipes were often baked for birthdays and holidays and will probably rekindle some great memories to be shared with family members.  Mom or Grandma may even enjoy taking the time to bake the cake with their younger relative.  This will not only help preserve a family cake recipe but will also allow for quality sharing time.

Another possible place to find an old-fashioned cake recipe is to visit a senior citizen home.  Many women in years gone by had their recipes memorized and are still able to completely recall them when asked.  Talking about and acquiring these recipes is a great way to cheer an older person’s day and also may help a person discover some great cooking treasures.   It may even be possible to gather several cake recipes from different people, record them, and share them with others so they can be preserved for time.

Basic Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Cake

The most basic ingredient in a cake recipe is flour.  In the past people sifted their own flour to be used in each baking recipe.  Pre-sifted flour is available on the market now but a person may find that they can make a lighter, airier cake by sifting their own flour.

Other needed ingredients for cake recipes include sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking soda or baking powder and butter or oil.  When purchasing eggs large eggs are usually equivalent to the egg in the recipe.  Baking soda and baking powder are not interchangeable and need to be fresh for a good rise.  Often in very old-fashioned cake recipes lard was used for the oil; however, butter, margarine, or oil will work equally well.  There are other ingredients and basics to making a great old-fashioned cake recipe and a person would do well to take the time to share in this worthwhile process with an elderly relative or friend.