Afternoon all!
I seem to be running out of spare time every day now, so I'm all behind like a duck's tail.
We'll get on to the cake now, rather than me blabbering on - That said, I've been busy knitting, just a trim to knit to finish off a new jumper. I have a huge pile to sew up too, I'll get round to it one day.
To cake!
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1942 Chocolate Cake
8 ozs self-raising flour
4 ozs sugar
4 ozs margarine
1 level teaspoonful bicarbonate of soda
1 heaped dessertspoonful cocoa powder
vanilla essence
water
Sift together flour, bicarbonate and cocoa.
Put sugar, margarine and 1 gill (1/4 pint) water in a saucepan, bring slowly to the boil, continue boiling for 1 minute.
Turn out into mixing basin, leave until lukewarm.
Gradually stir in flour mixture, add a little more lukewarm water, about 1/4 gill, to bring the consistency to that of sponge batter, add flavouring essence.
Bake in a greased 7-inch tin, about 1 hour.
Heat the oven at Gas 5, lower to Gas 4 when cake is put in, lower to Gas 3 about 20 minutes later.
Sprinkle with sugar for serving (optional); vary by running round with a teaspoon a narrow border of jam.
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When I took mine from the oven it was cooked, the skewer came out clean three times, although when I was eating it I did think it could've done with an extra five minutes as it only just done. I think I have a problem with the oven though as everything is taking a little linger than expected. So just check it and maybe give it some more time.
But overall I like this cake, it tastes a little of cake batter, which probably has more to do with needing those extra few minutes. But it is a really nice moist sponge, and the lack of eggs isn't noticed.
I hope you enjoy making and eating this as much as I have. Hopefully I'll have another recipe for you next Friday, though if my oven packs in it may sandwich fillings!
Until we speak again
Jennie
Good morning all!
I'm having a bit of "Disaster Day" today, so stand clear, if I go down, I'm taking you with me!
Words are escaping me today, so blogging isn't really a good idea is it? Never fear, a recipe is here!
Before setting off to your kitchen, I have to warn you, I did have an issue with this one. So although I'm putting the recipe up, I am going to remake and rewrite the recipe. Though this is perfectly edible!
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1942 Fruit Cake (no eggs or milk)
"A moist, rich-tasting cake, the kind a man likes"
4 ozs national wheatmeal flour - I used plain wholemeal
4ozs self-raising flour
1 level teaspoonful baking powder
1 level teaspoonful bicarbonate of soda
3 tablespoonfuls sugar
1 tablespoonful red jam - I used strawberry
4 ozs margarine or lard - I used margarine
2 teaspoonfuls mixed spice
4 to 6 ozs fruit, any kind or mixed - I used raisins, dates and a pinch of sultanas
1 gill water, short measure - 1/4 pint
Clean the fruit in flour; if raisins or dates are used, chop them.
Put the sugar, jam, fat, fruit and water into a saucepan, bring slowly to the boil, continue boiling for 1 minute; stand aside until cool, but not cold.
Mix the two flours, baking powder, bicarbonate and spice in a basin, make a well, gradually add the lukewarm mixture and mix well.
Put into a greased 6-inch cake tin and bake for nearly 2 hours, moderately slow oven for 1 1/2 hours, then slow oven for about 25 minutes longer. After about 3/4 hour, when cake is nicely brown, cover with paper to prevent burning.
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Right, this is where I went wrong. I put the cake in at Gas Mark 4 (180 C / 350 F) and turned it down to Gas Mark 2 (150 C / 300 F). It did catch on the top, so what I am going to do next time is either turn the oven down to Gas mark 3, turning down to Gas Mark 1. Also, after 1 1/2 hours, I will test to see if it's cooked.
The cake came out looking a little burnt, however, the actually cake inside is moist and really scrummy. So, just be careful with your temperature and timing... Everything you should normally do then! :)
It is nice though, I've yet to test it on a man, so if you make this one, could you let us all know if a man does indeed like this?
So, I'm off for another slice and a cup of tea. I'll be back next week, I am trying to find the time to write between recipes, maybe I should write everything on Fridays and schedule them...
Anyway, till next time
Jennie
Good morning folks!
Well, just about, it's firmly heading towards midday and my to-do list is rather long, but I need a quick break between vacuuming and sorting out the washing.
As you may know, I sell vintage sewing patterns over on Etsy. In the whole process of getting the patterns online, they're checked, photographed, popped into little bags and labelled, before finally being listed in the shop.
I, as many stitchers do, have found little bits of joy inside the envelope alongside the actually pattern; a wartime pencil, pieces of fabric, an aerogramme even. But my favourites finds are newspaper, with juicy stories of runaway teens heading for Gretna being the best.
However, if the paper can be dated, it just adds to the joy of the pattern. My latest listing is one such joyous pattern. There are three pieces cut in newspaper, seemingly nothing to do with the pattern inside (which is complete).
I did a quick search online, to discover the stories are from 1943
These include the death of Mr John De Havilland, Colonel Graham West awaiting his "Bader legs" and my personal favourite; A mention of oranges!
There is also a crossword, completely unanswered! How anyone could pass a crossword by without having a go is beyond me.
I actually feel a little sad to let the pattern go, but alas, it's a size too big and I already have plenty of patterns I keep saying I'm going to adjust... It just doesn't happen :)
The pattern, should you be interested, is available here.
Well, that's all for now. I'm not sure I'll be posting before Friday. But I will be back on Friday for Jennie On The Kitchen Front. This week I'm trying to decide between biscuits and cake, ooh, the decisions!
Until then
Jennie
Is it already Friday? Well, if it is, then it's Kitchen Front day for us!
This week I've made a ginger cake, well, it's actually a tray bake by todays standards. Never mind what we'll call it, it's ginger and it's cakey.
Before we start, the recipe does say to use a Yorkshire pudding tin, measuring 8 1/2" by 5 3/4" - I don't have a tin this size, so instead used the smallest tin I could find, which is about 8" square. It still works, so no complaints from me.
This ginger cake has a subtle flavour, should you wish to update it, you could always drizzle the top with lime icing.
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Ginger Cake - 1942
4 ozs Plain Flour
4ozs Self Raising Flour
2 ozs Lard - I use veggie Baking Fat
4 ozs Syrup
2 tablespoonfuls Sugar
1/2 teaspoonful Bicarbonate of Soda
1 teaspoonful Ground Ginger
1 teaspoonful Mixed Spice
1 Small Egg
1 gill Milk (1/4 pint)
Stir together lard (fat), syrup and sugar in a saucepan over low heat until melted.
Do not boil, wait until lukewarm before using.
Beat egg and mix in milk.
Mix dry ingredients, make a well.
Pour in syrup mixture, mix.
Gradually add the egg/milk mixture.
Stir until smooth.
Put into a greased tin.
Bake in slow oven, Gas Mark 3 (160 C / 325 F) for 45 minutes.
Cut into 18 squares for serving.
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Well, that's the recipe. Of all the wartime recipes I use, this is one of my favourites, it turns out well and is a nice treat with some tea or cocoa.
So now I'm off for some lunch, then I might just find room for another piece of cake!
Till next week
Jennie
