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Well I have been sitting on this recipe for awhile.  Sorry!  It is the
favorite from scratch recipe of our family.  I made substitutions to
meet my dietary needs.  I feed it to family and friends who had easten
previous versions.  They could not tell the difference nor could I.  You
must remember that I was a home economics teacher before being a
librarian and I can cook circles around most anyone I just don't like to
spend all day cooking.  Short cuts, prepared foods and eating out were
my goal as I am getting close to retiring.  Well I guess the old body
has had the last laugh!  Here is the recipe.  If you do not know the
story behind it let me know and I'll send it along.  rz

1/4 c. shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 t. cocoa --- I use 2 T.  (personal preference)
2 oz. red food coloring
1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
2 1/2 white rice flour or 2 1/2 c. Betty Hagmans mix
1 t. baking powder(This is not in the original recipe but I add it to
ensure enough volume)
2 t. xanthum gum
1 1/2 t. cider vinegar
1 t. baking soda

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs.  Add the food coloring.
Mix in buttermilk and vanilla.
Mix all the dry ingredients.
Alternatly add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the creamed mixture.
Mix baking soda and vinegar  and fold into mixture.  Do not beat.
Bake in greased/floured pans of your choice.  Bake approximately 30
minutes at 350 degrees.  Cake is done when it pulls away from the sides
of the the pan and springs back to the touch.

Frosting:
5 T. corn starch
1 c. milk
1 c granulated sugar
1 c. butter or margarine (I always use margarine)
1 t. vanilla

Mix corn starch into milk.  Cook until thick, stirring constantly.  Let
it cool unil cold.(I put the entire pan in the refrigerator)  Cream
together sugar, butter, and vanilla.  Add the cold milk mixture.  Beat
until it is of spreading consistency.  When it is finished it looks like
whipped cream.  Until that time it will look curdly.  I found that this
happened very quickly when I used corn starch.  Timing had changed.

Eat in good health!!  Enjoy!
rz

--
Reesa Zuber
Library Media Specialist
US West/WEA Learning Space Cadre Member & Share 105 Cadre Member
Wasington Middle School
510 South 9th Street
Yakima, Washington  98901
W  509.573.2307   H 509.453.2738   F 509.573.2323
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