Indulge in a taste of American history with the iconic George Washington Cake. This delectable treat, also known as the Great Cake, has captivated taste buds for over two centuries, earning a prominent place in the annals of culinary heritage. Originally created to celebrate the first President of the United States, this multi-layered masterpiece features a rich combination of flavors and textures that will tantalize your palate. Embark on a culinary journey through time as we explore the original recipe, along with variations that add a modern twist to this classic dessert. From the traditional sponge cake base to the decadent frosting options, discover the secrets behind this enduring symbol of American pride.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY CHERRY CAKE
My mother started making this recipe for George Washington's birthday when I was little. Chock full of cherries, chocolate chips and nuts, this moist cake is a winner any time of the year!
Provided by Laurie Johnson Gonzalez
Categories Desserts Cakes Bundt Cake Recipes Chocolate
Time 2h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly grease a 9-inch Bundt® pan with shortening, then dust with flour. Shake off any excess flour from the pan.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined. Gently mix in the cherry pie filling, chocolate chips and nuts, and scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs, about 1 hour. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert pan and remove cake. Allow cake to finish cooling on a rack; sprinkle lightly with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.9 calories, Carbohydrate 53.2 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 25.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 160 mg, Sugar 21 g
GEORGE WASHINGTON CHOCOLATE CAKE
For anyone who loves chocolate and cherries!
Provided by LISA158
Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Cherry Dessert Recipes
Time 8h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 (9 inch) round pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in melted chocolate. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the water and buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. Finely chop cherries and fold in. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Fill and frost with chocolate cherry frosting.
- For the frosting: In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, melted chocolate and almond extract. Cream with an electric mixer. Add reserved cherry juice by the tablespoon until frosting reaches desired consistency.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 609.3 calories, Carbohydrate 100.7 g, Cholesterol 51.9 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 399.7 mg, Sugar 75.2 g
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S CARROT CAKE
According to the "New York Cookbook", this cake was served on the occasion of British Evacuation Day on Nov. 25, 1783, at the Fraunces Tavern, in what is now known in Manhattan as the South Street Seaport area. George Washington was there, and this cake was named in his honour. I have not made this cake (although I have made similar), but am putting it up here as I seek out "american" and "new york" recipes in honour of the first anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.
Provided by Lennie
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350F; generously grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
- You can also use a Bundt pan, but make sure it is WELL greased.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir well and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine corn oil, sugar, beaten eggs and carrots; mix well.
- Add flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven until moist, but firm to the touch; about one hour.
- Cool in the pan, the remove from pan and dust with the icing sugar.
CAKE, GEORGE WASHINGTON CAKE RECIPE - (5/5)
Provided by á-27150
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Grease a 9" round cake pan, and preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the raisins, currants, and bourbon in a small bowl and microwave, loosely cov- ered, for 40 seconds. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated after each addition. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Whisk together the flour, Clear Jel, baking powder, and spices, and add alternately with the milk, beating until the batter is fluffy. Stir in the dried fruit mixture with any remaining liquid, as well as the peel. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Brush with additional bourbon and cool completely before frosting. Yield: 20 servings. Nutrition information per serving (46g): 149 calories, 2g protein, 26g carbohydrates, 4g far, Ig fiber, 2g saturated fat, Og "trans tar, 28itigcholesrerol, 113mg sodium, 15g sugars, Omg vitamin C, l mg iron, 48mg calcium. Weight Watchers .Poifft~Plus: 4 points
GEORGE WASHINGTON POUND CAKE
This is really a wonderful cake. It's quite sweet but otherwise nearly perfect. Plain as it is, it's too good for a frosting or anything more than maybe a little ice cream, or some butter and jam on a slice that is toasted under a broiler. Originally this called for a 1/2 teaspoon each of vanilla and almond extracts, but I prefer it with only vanilla. Other flavors may be used, too. To make a lemon pound cake, eliminate the vanilla and use 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and the grated zest of 1 lemon.
Provided by Dropbear
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 1 12-cup pan, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Thoroughly grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt or tube pan, then shake out excess flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about three minutes in a stand mixer or more with a handheld mixer. Scrape down sides of the bowl once or twice. Add eggs one at a time, beating well about 30 seconds after each egg. In between additions of egg, scrape down sides of bowl to ensure thorough mixing of ingredients.
- Fold in cake flour. Add vanilla and salt. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or just until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cake in the pan for about 10 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen them as needed. Then turn the cake out on a rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, ensure all your ingredients and tools are prepped and measured. This will make the baking process smoother and more enjoyable.
- Quality Ingredients: Use the best quality ingredients you can find, especially for the butter, chocolate, and flour. This will significantly impact the final flavor and texture of your cake.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a moist and tender cake.
- Folding Dry Ingredients: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, fold them in gently using a spatula. Overmixing can result in a dense, tough cake.
- Baking Temperature: Bake the cake at the specified temperature in the recipe. Baking at too high a temperature can cause the cake to brown too quickly, while baking at too low a temperature can result in a dense, undercooked cake.
- Cooling the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting it. This will help prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake.
Conclusion:
The recipes provided in this article offer a delicious and diverse range of cakes that cater to various tastes and preferences. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these recipes provide a solid foundation for creating delectable cakes that will impress your family and friends. Remember to follow the tips mentioned above to ensure success in your baking endeavors. Experiment with different flavor combinations, frostings, and decorations to create your own unique and personalized cakes. Happy baking!
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