Aunt Esthers Favorite Cake Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Use one pan (8X8) ungreased, the pan in which you are going to bake the cake .
• 2. Sift into pan the flour, cocoa, sugar, salt and baking soda.
• 3. Add the vinegar, vanilla and melted shortening.
• 4. Pour warm water over all.
• 5. Beat well, using a fork to clean the corners of the pan.
• 6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until cake springs back or toothpick is clean.
• 7. Let cake cool and then frost or use the 10x and the doily.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300. Grease tube pan with removable bottom. Add a ring of wax paper to bottom of pan to ease release after cooking.
• Beat butter and sugar thoroughly. Add yolks.
• In another bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda.
• Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to butter mixture.
• Add extracts and rum, if desired.
• In separate chilled bowl, beat whites to stiff peaks.
• Fold whites into batter.
• Spoon into pan.
• Coat top with additional sugar.
• Bake at 300 for 1.5 to 2 hours until cake tester comes out clean.

Steps:

• Cake: Sift flour, baking powder, & salt twice in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter on MEDIUM (~4 minutes). Add sugar steadily with mixer running; beat until light & fluffy. Add eggs & yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition; scrape down sides at least once. After eggs are added, continue to beat on MEDIUM for 2 minutes; add oil & beat for 1 minute on LOW. In a third bowl, combine orange zest, vanilla, & buttermilk. Using a rubber spatula, fold in half of dry ingredients. Scrape down sides of bowl, add half of the buttermilk mixture - repeat. Pour batter in pans, smooth surface, rap on counter, & place in oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans on racks for 20 minutes. Orange syrup: In small bowl, stir together orange juice & sugar until dissolved. While cakes are still in pans, use a toothpick or skewer to poke holes at 1/2-inch intervals in the cake layers. Spoon syrup over each layer, allowing syrup to be completely absorbed before adding the remainder. Let layers cool completely in pans. Filling: Heat marmalade in a small saucepan over medium heat until just melted. Let cool for 5 minutes. Frosting: In a chilled mixing bowl, whisk heavy cream with sugar until stiff peaks form. Add sour cream SLOWLY & whisk until mixture is a spreadable consistency. Cake assembly: Invert one layer on a cake plate & peel off parchment. Spread 1/3 of marmalade over top, smoothing into an even layer; repeat with second layer. Place third cake layer on top, remove parchment, & spoon remaining marmalade onto the center, leaving a 1.25-inch border around the edges. Frost sides & top border, leaving the marmalade on top of the cake exposed. Or, frost entire cake first, adding the marmalade as a garnish on top. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.