Don't Leave Out the Spice

Dear Friends,

None of our family members will ever forget Granny Ella ( 'Granella' to her grandchildren) and her memorable baking. She was famous for her special Spice Cake with maple and walnut frosting. She was also famous (in her later years) for leaving out the baking soda... But no matter, it was all cake to us and we loved her for it. Her recipe has a special place in the family cookbook - a love note from our Canadian grandmother.

Granny Ella lived a life full of her own particular spice, stories of her abound and make us laugh to this day. I suspect there's one in your family too, so here's her Spice Cake recipe to celebrate all the spicy souls we love. Those who've passed on and those who remain. Let's love them for all the flavor they bring into our lives. Thank you, Granny Ella, for more than just your wonderful cake. You will always be an inspiration. Enjoy.

Spice Cake


3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups Purity flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
1 cup sour milk
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups raisins

Cream butter until it is soft and creamy and gradually add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add flour and cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture is like coarse cornmeal. Reserve one cup of this crumb for top of cake. To the remainder add sifted baking soda and spices and blend thoroughly. Beat egg until foamy, add sour milk and continue beating until well blended. Add spiced crumb and mix quickly, stirring until batter is fairly smooth but do not over mix. Spread carefully into well greased 8 inch square pan and sprinkle reserved cup of crumbs on top. Press crumbs into surface of batter and bake in moderate oven (350ºF) for about 40-50 minutes. Allow baked cake to set for 15-20 minutes before removing from pan.

Maple Walnut Frosting
Ingredients

*Container vanilla frosting
*1 tsp. Maple Extract
*1/2 c. halved walnuts
Directions

1. Stir together maple extract and frosting. Spread over cake. Top with walnuts, placed in circular fashion around the top of the cake.





With memories in mind,
love Ruth and Rose