How I Got Started In The Kitchen

Growing up in a family of 7 kids we all had to learn some survival skills. One was "what is for dessert tonight?" This spice cake recipe was one of my first baking experiences. I remember the two oldest siblings making this cake quite often. So eventually it was my turn and it turned out yumtastic! Let me know how you like it. Susan

Spice Cake

2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon cloves

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoon molasses

1/2 cup crisco

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

heat oven 375 degree

Topping

1 TBSP soft butter

1 TBSP flour

4 TBSP sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix together topping ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl place sugar and crisco and mix together. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat well. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the topping mixture over the batter, sugar topping gets crusty and extra yummy when baked. Place the pan in the middle rack of the oven and bake 20-30 minutes, until the edges have pulled away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you can wait at least 5 or 10 minutes to cool before you start eating it, you have SOME willpower.

BAKING TIP: when measuring molasses or crisco, spray the measuring cup with cooking spray and it should slide right out. Brilliant!

Let's take a quick minute to talk about Buttermilk

Buttermilk is an important part of baking. The acidic milk combined with baking soda in a recipe is a baker's dream. See when baking soda is combined with the lactic acids of buttermilk, the soda releases carbon dioxide that when heated, releases tiny bubbles that expand and lift and lighten whatever your baking.

I have been asked if there is a substitute for buttermilk, I have 3 solutions. Although having buttermilk on hand in your fridge it will last a long time after the expiration date.

Lemon and milk: in a 1-cup measuring cup, add 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice. Top the lemon juice with milk. Stir and let sit for 2 minutes.

Yogurt and milk: mix 3/4 cup plain yogurt with 1/4 cup milk.

Milk and cream of tartar: mix 1 cup of milk with 1 3/4 tsp of cream of tartar. To ensure that the mixture doesn't get lumpy, mix the cream of tartar with 2 TBSP of the milk first.