**Dive into the Delights: Martha Washington's Great Cake and Other Culinary Treasures**
Journey back in time to the era of America's first president, George Washington, and uncover the culinary legacy of his esteemed wife, Martha Washington. Indulge in the grandeur of Martha's Great Cake, a towering testament to her culinary prowess. Savor the delicate balance of spices, the richness of molasses, and the velvety crumb that makes this cake truly unforgettable. But the culinary journey doesn't end there. Embark on a tantalizing adventure through the rest of the recipes featured in this article, each a testament to Martha's culinary artistry. Explore the timeless charm of her Election Cake, an evocative symbol of democracy, and the irresistible allure of her Chocolate Cake, a decadent treat fit for any occasion. Discover the secrets behind her light and fluffy Sponge Cake, perfect for afternoon tea, and be captivated by the rustic elegance of her Johnnycake, a humble yet heartwarming staple. With a diverse array of recipes spanning cakes, puddings, and even a refreshing syllabub, this article offers a comprehensive exploration of Martha Washington's culinary repertoire, inviting you to savor the flavors of history and create your own delectable masterpieces.
MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE
Steps:
- Soak the raisins and currants overnight in water in a small bowl. Combine the orange peel, lemon peel, citron and cherries in a medium-size bowl; sprinkle with brandy and marinate overnight.
- Beat the butter, three-quarters of a cup of the sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice at high speed in electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about five minutes.
- Sift the flour, mace and nutmeg on wax paper. Stir into the batter alternately with the Sherry, blending well.
- Drain the raisins and currants. Add them to the batter with the candied fruits and brandy, mixing well.
- Beat the egg whites until they are foamy. Beat in the remaining one-quarter cup of sugar slowly until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter.
- Grease two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch pans. Spoon the batter into the pans. Place a large pan filled halfway up with boiling water on the lowest oven rack. Place the cakes on the middle oven rack.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake 55 minutes longer or until the cake centers spring back when lightly touched. Cool the cakes on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans.
- Wrap the cooled cakes in Sherry- or brandy-soaked cheesecloth. Place in tightly covered containers or wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Check the cheesecloth occasionally. If it dries out, add more Sherry or brandy.
- Garnish the cakes with candied cherries, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 324, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 52 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 32 milligrams, Sugar 36 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE
Just the other day--while laying on the couch being sick--I watched Martha Stewart's TV program. Caroline Kennedy is writing a book featuring recipes from our country's past. Martha brought out her old catering service HUGE Hobart mixer, and it was fun (being sick & all "fun" is relative!) to watch her put this together---WOW! Today I was paging through a "Christmas traditions" book my SIL gave me a few years ago and wow--here's the recipe Martha S. & Caroline Kennedy were re-creating on the TV program. The book says, "From an old manuscript dated 'Mount Vernon, 1781" made by Martha Custis Washington for her grandmama." I'm purely guessing on the serving amounts.
Provided by Debber
Categories Dessert
Time 2h30m
Yield 1 huge cake, 40 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- WRITTEN AS PER MARTHA WASHINGTON'S DIRECTIONS.
- Take forty eggs and divide the whites from the yolks, and beat them (whites) to a froth.
- Then work the butter to a cream, and put the whites of the eggs to it, a cup at a time, until well-worked.
- Then add sugar (finely powdered) to it in the same manner (one cup at a time).
- Then put the egg yolks and flour and fruit to it.
- Add to it mace, nutmeg, wine and brandy.
- Two hours will bake it. (350 degrees).
- In the TV program: Martha Stewart baked this in a 16x16x3-inch square pan (it was HUGE!). I suppose you could divide the batter between two 13x9 pans, too.
- She frosted it with a meringue (whipped egg white & sugar) that was lightly baked to give it a crunch -- and claimed that it would keep for weeks if the cake wasn't cut.
- She's got a smaller version on her website.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 787.9, Fat 42.5, SaturatedFat 25, Cholesterol 309.1, Sodium 333.2, Carbohydrate 89.4, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 45.9, Protein 12.6
MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Soak raisins and currants in water in small bowl overnight.
- Combine orange peel, lemon peel, citron and cherries in mediumsize bowl, sprinkle with brandy; let stand overnight.
- Grease two 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch pans.
- Beat egg whites in medium-size bowl with electric mixer until foamy white. Beat in 1/4 cup of the sugar slowly until meringue forms stiff peaks; reserve.
- Beat butter, remaining sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about five minutes.
- Sift flour, mace and nutmeg onto wax paper. Stir into batter alternately with sherry, blending well.
- Drain raisins and currants. Add to batter with candied fruits and brandy, mixing well.
- Fold in reserved meringue until no streaks of white remain. Pour batter into pans. Place in a roasting pan on lowest rack of oven. Fill halfway with boiling water. Place cakes on middle rack of oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 325 degrees and bake 55 minutes longer until centers spring back when lightly touched with fingertip. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
- To store: wrap in sherry- or brandy-soaked cheesecloth; place in tightly covered containers for a month or longer. Pour more sherry or brandy over cake when cheesecloth dries out.
- Garnish with candied cherries, if you wish.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 327, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 52 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 32 milligrams, Sugar 36 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MARTHA WASHINGTON CREME CAKE
This is a 2 generation favorite. The layers are similar to a genoise. The cooked filling is simple and carrys the flavors of butter, vanilla and eggs. A sifting of powered sugar just before presentation is all it needs. I have, for birthdays, frosted the sides with 7 minute frosting. It's time to share this.
Provided by Pastryismybiz
Categories Dessert
Time 1h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Beat 3 egg yolks, sugar and water until creamy.
- In another bowl beat 3 egg whites to soft peak.
- Sift flours, BP and salt. Stir with whisk to mix thoroughly.
- Add egg whites and flour mixture to egg yolk mixture alternating each and folding until batter is just incorporated.
- Batter will have some traces of flour exposed. Do not stir and do not over mix for best results.
- Grease 2 9" cake pans. Line bottom of each with waxed paper or parchment. Grease paper and dust bottoms and sides with flour.
- Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick.
- For ease in slicing the layers in 2, place cake layers in pans in freezer. To remove from pan when ready to assemble, turn stove burner to med and slide bottom of cake pan around until the heat releases cake; test by using a butter knife pulling the sides up until cake comes free from bottom.This happens within seconds. Slice frozen layers in two and spread filling between layers leaving top of cake bare.
- Filling:.
- Cream egg yolks.
- Mix cornstarch with a small amount of the milk and then add to saucepan with balance of milk, creamed egg yolks and sugar. Cook until it comes to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.
- Cool.
- Can use leftover egg whites to frost sides of cake with 7 minute frosting.
A GREAT CAKE
This great cake was adapted for "The Martha Stewart Show" from a recipe written by Martha Washington.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10-inch round springform cake pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray parchment with cooking spray; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites and salt on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Transfer egg whites to a medium bowl.
- Clean mixer bowl and return to mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add butter to bowl and beat on high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides as necessary.
- Reduce mixer speed to medium and with the mixer running add egg whites to butter, 1 cup at a time, mixing until combined. Slowly add sugar, mixing until well combined. Add egg yolks and mix until combined.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, mace, and nutmeg. With the mixer running add flour mixture to butter mixture, 1 cup at a time. Mix until well combined. Add raisins and almonds.
- Place apples and pears in a large bowl and cover with wine and brandy. Add apple mixture to mixer. Increase speed to high, mixing until well combined, about 15 seconds.
- Transfer cake batter to prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Transfer cake to oven and bake, rotating pan once halfway through baking, until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Remove side of pan and transfer cake onto a baking sheet.
- Spread frosting all over top and sides of cake. Transfer cake to oven and bake until frosting is dry and brittle, about 1 hour. Frosting should shatter when cake is cut.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients. This means using real butter, fresh eggs, and pure vanilla extract.
- Make sure to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
Conclusion:
Martha Washington's Great Cake is a classic American dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is a moist, flavorful cake with a delicate crumb. The frosting is rich and creamy, and it perfectly complements the cake. If you are looking for a delicious and impressive cake to make, Martha Washington's Great Cake is the perfect choice.
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