Caramel Cake

I just finished a very funny book by Fannie Flagg, "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven." Fannie Flagg is the author of "Fried Green Tomatoes at Whistle Stop Cafe." This is a very funny book about a Elderly lady, Aunt Elner, who dies, goes to heaven, and comes back to life only wishing to be back in heaven. This is a fun, touching story portraying the effect one person can have on a whole community (or even the world). While in heaven, she sees an old friend Dorothy who gives her the most delicious Caramel Cake. Lucky for us, Fannie Flagg gave us the recipe!
So, I thought I would try it out.



Neighbor Dorthy's Caramel Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1 3/4 cups cake flour (sift before measuring)
Resift with 1 cup brown sugar
Add:
1/2 cup soft butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat for 3 minutes. Bake in greased pan for 1/2 hour.

Caramel Frosting

2 tablespoons cake flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix cake flour and milk. Cook to a thick paste over slow flame. Cool. Cream sugars and vanilla with butter and shortening. Beat until light and fluffy. Blend in salt. Mix in cooled paste. Beat until fluffy. Blend. Should look like whipped cream.
I would not put in shortening and do all butter - it would make a richer, better flavored frosting.

If you don't have cake flour you can use this recipe to save yourself a trip to the store.

Friends and Family Cookbook

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas a couple years ago and I have enjoyed it ever since. I love the idea of the book, "The Nordstrom Friends and Family Cookbook is a collection of recipes from Nordstrom's popular restaurants, as well as contributions from employees and friends, making this a time-tested collection of favorite meals." These recipes are what my friends and I call, "Tried-and-True."
Each recipe I have tried is delicious. The difficulty ranges from simple to slightly challenging but have easy to follow instructions and all have turned out fabulous. The pictures are beautiful and mouthwatering. If you see it atNordstrom or other bookstores - pick it up!