The Introduction

I am under the impression I was born in the wrong era. I'd much prefer living in a more simple time. A time when women wore dresses, heals and red lipstick. A time when men wore a white shirt and tie. A time that hardly saw jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. A time when families all sat down and had supper together. When kids called their parents things like "Mother" and "Dad". I want these things for my own family someday. So, I've decided that since I'm 20, not married and don't have any children, I'll practice on my parents and two younger siblings. The things that follow will be my sucesses and failures...wish me luck!

The White Cake

In every respectable 1950's kitchen would have been a cake. Not just any kind of cake but the fluffy white kind with white icing and coconut. You know, the kind your grandmother used to make.
With just a few ingredients, you too can make this yummy cake!

Cake:

2 heaping cups of flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 heaping tsp. of baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup milk
3 eggs

Beat all of the ingredients together adding the eggs one at a time. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake 30-35 minutes. Let cool out of the pans. Makes two 8 inch round cakes.

Icing:

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 Tblsp. milk

Beat the shortening and extracts until creamy. Add half of the powdered sugar and beat well. Add 2 tbsp. of milk. Beat in the remaining powdered sugar and add enough milk to make the icing spreadable.

Assemble the cake like you would any layer cake. I finely chopped some walnuts (about a cup), and pressed them into the sides and then sprinkled some shredded coconut on top. Here is the finished product. Enjoy!