Grandma's Black Walnut Cake

[chubbyalaskagriz]

My Grandma Clara's birthday is today and although she passed in 1973 she's still with us today. She possessed an incredibly tender & generous spirit as shown here in the love she's lavishing on this pair of barn-kitties brought in one winter to warm near the stove...

Grandma had a metal rectangular cake pan with a slide-top that she made a cake in every week. Our local Peoria Journal Star highlighted a new cake each Sunday and Grandma- a huge cake fan- could always be counted on the re-create that recipe in her trusty metal pan. I don't know how many times I watched her slide that lid back to cut we grand-children a big ole square!

Today I'm making a Black Walnut Cake w/ white frosting that has half a mashed banana in it, which was among her favorites. I'll take it to my Dad's- my sister's family will drop by too and we'll prolly make burgers and dogs out on the weber and compliment it all w/ Gandma's simple cake- not a thing fancy or special about it, except Grandma loved it. And that's all it takes to make something special- a Granny's love!

 

[jglass]

How about giving up that recipe?
I love your pic of her with the kittens. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.

 

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Grandma Clara's Fragrant Black Walnut Cake

1/2 c. softened butter
1/2 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. baking soda
2 c. all purpose flour
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. chopped black walnuts
1 (3-oz.) bag of flaked coconut
1/2 t. cream of tartar

Cream together butter and shortening. Add sugar. Add egg yolks. Combine buttermilk and soda. Stir until soda dissolves. Add flour to creamed mixture, alternatively, with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add 1 cup walnuts and coconut, stirring well. Beat egg whites (at room temp.) And cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.

Pour into 3 greased and floured 9" round cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick in center comes clean. Cool in pans and let cool completely on wire racks.

Banana Frosting:

3/4 c. softened butter
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
8 oz. pkg. PLUS 3 oz. pkg. softened cream cheese
6-3/4 c. powdered sugar
1-1/2 t. vanilla

Cream butter and cream cheese. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.

Spread cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

This makes a tall cake that is delicious for special occasions.

 

[cUpcAkecOok]

This sounds like a really tasty cake! My mom loves black walnut ice cream so im going to try this cake out and make it for her! Thanks for the recipe i bet it'll be as tasty as it sounds!

 

[jglass]

Thanks Kevin.
My father in law will love this.

 

[mrsjimmyp]

That sounds like a great Cake and what a lovely way to Honor your Grandma. I'm going to try this one.

 

[chubbyalaskagriz]

cupcakecook, janie and mrsjimmyp- I think you'll this cake. Of all the cakes Grandma Clara ever made, this is among the ones I have clear memories of- that's saying a lot in that I was only 7 years old when she passed away. Enjoy!