How many of you own a copy of your moms, grandmothers or great grandmother's recipe books or cards? You know the kind that were hand written in the years before blogs, and ebooks?
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| My Grandma as a girl |
My Grandma passed away when I was 10 of breast cancer, I didn't really know her well. All I know of her, are the stories I hear from my Dad and my Aunts and Uncles. I was lucky enough to get a photo copy of her recipe book. It's filled with TONS of dessert recipes.
I giggle when I flip through the pages because the recipes are clearly dated. The use of jello, instant pudding was huge.... and seriously. What is Oleo? Do they still sell this? I have been told by my Aunts it's like Crisco?
When I first started blogging, I tried her Tomato Soup Cake. It was actually really good. Though I was completely terrified to use canned soup in a CAKE. It's a thing.... and totally not weird. You should try it some time. You will be pleasantly surprised!
One recipe that has caught my eye for years now and I just never took the time to make it. Was the Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake. Apparently this was a thing back in the day. I did a google search to see what I could find out... and I think it's a vintage classic cake. Ask your mom or grandmothers... I bet they have made it at one point or another!
This cake is easy to whip up. All the ingredients come straight from your pantry. And it is made with oatmeal, so it is practically health food right?
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| My Grandmother's Handwritten Recipe |
Instead of using "Oleo" I used room temperature butter. I also added 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut on top of the frosting before serving. I think it was best served warm.
There is something extra special about hand written recipes from long ago. You're lucky to have those.
ReplyDeleteIt is special. I am so glad my Aunts saved the book and made copies for us all.
DeleteI've been amazed to discover how many of my grandma's "famous" recipes use ingredients like instant pudding. That was definitely a big thing at one point (and seems to be making a comeback). This cake looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I know. People are loving instant pudding mixes these days in recipes. I am not sure I am down with the trend. I should probably try it and see what all the fuss is about.
DeleteI'm drooling ver this cake & can't wait to try it! I'm also dying over your gorgeous dishes this yummy cake is sitting on! Please tell me what brand & where you bought them!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! This plate is one that I picked up on clearance sale at TJ Maxx or Home Goods a couple years ago. I'm not sure of the brand.... the writing on the bottom is worn.
DeleteI have a cookie recipe from my Grandma Mittman which is in her handwriting. So precious to keep these close to your heart! Thanks for sharing her recipe.
ReplyDeleteIt is precious, I will keep these recipes forever I am sure.
DeleteI have about 3 boxes and 2 books filled with Grandma's recipes ( both sides of family ). The one's with their handwritten notes are extra special. I love this cake and the story behind it, Carrie! And coconut - yum!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! You are lucky to have so many. My Nana (my grandmother on my mom's side) Is thankfully still with us. I do have some of her books as well. She has been giving them to me since I was a little. Such a fun thing to bake the things I know they did decades ago.
DeleteOh, so you found something. Fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd my grandparents' handwritten recipes look like that, too. Same handwriting. So it appears that people in the 40s / 50s / 60s had the same handwriting. Peculiar. ;)
I looked up the oleo thing and people say different things. Some say shortening, some say margarine... http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2010/10/historic-recipes-that-make-you-laugh.html
The cake looks great! I love the name.
Thanks for that link! I don't know why I never googled it haha. My mom's handwriting looks the same to me as well. It must be a female style or writing ;)
DeleteOleo is Margarine, not shortening. At least that's what it was when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! Thanks ;)
DeleteYour grandmother's recipe sounds good. I do know about "oleo"--short for oleomargarine (what margarine was called during WWII)--I'm a baby boomer who loves to "read" cookbooks, and I've also baked a tomato soup cake or two...these were especially popular when people seemed to like spice cakes more than they do today.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your special recipes!
Felice
Thanks Felice! I will remember that next time I look at her old recipes. ;)
DeleteThis looks AH-mazing. I just love making my old family recipes. They're not only delicious, they're good for the soul. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch! It is fun, I need to do it more often.
DeleteThis is why I hope to never own an e-cookbook! I have my grandmas copy of The Joy of Cooking and a few of her other cookbooks that all have recipes torn out of magazine stuck between the pages. I only have a few of her recipe cards, but it makes me feel so much more of a connection to her. This cake looks so beautiful, and I can totally see a resemblance between you and her!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jackie. There is something so special about owning the actual books. I fear that ebooks will ruin that for our kids... I'm glad I at least have this blog so they can somehow go back and read my words.
DeleteGrandma's recipes are always the best! They never taste quite the same as when she made them, though - it's probably the TLC she put into it! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteI love looking through old family recipes! This one definitely looks like a keeper!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica!
DeleteYour cake looks wonderful! I love old-fashioned desserts like this!
ReplyDeleteMe too! So comforting.
DeleteI am in love with this cake, the handwritten recipe, the flavors, and that it was your grandma's! I have a few vintage cookbooks (none of them have photos) and have seen so many 'lazy daisy cakes' and now I know what they will likely turn out like...thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Averie! I feel like I have no idea what some of those old recipes actually are without the pictures lol.
DeleteIts interesting to me that these days with the internet, food blogs will be the new recipe cards. I love the sound of this cake, it's so simple but I am sure taste fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThey will be for sure. I'm glad my kids will be able to go back and read this. Get my recipes and read them in my "voice"
DeleteOleo is margerine
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks.
DeleteLove this Carrie! Reminds me I really, really want my Nana's recipe book. My grandmother, on the other hand, never wrote anything down! Grrrr. :)
ReplyDeleteMy other Grandmother (step grandma) was an amazing cook. But she just threw things together... there are no written versions of my favorite dishes! So sad.
DeleteI love family recipes, the caramel frosting sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. I love them too!
DeleteThis is the perfect cake!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erika!
DeleteMy mother-n-law still says oleo! She means margarine and I never thought a thing of it, so I had to giggle reading this. This cake sounds wonderful and you are so lucky to have your grandmother's recipes!
ReplyDeleteI don't think they even sold that brand in the N. East because my mom and grandma never heard of it either.
DeleteSo lovely, Carrie. I love poking through my mom's kitchen to find my grandmom's old recipe cards. I love family recipes like this. They stand the test of time. I just LOVE the flavors of this cake Carrie!
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful and so comforting! I wish I had even one of my grandmother's recipes or to have her still here to bake and Cook with me.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog through another cooking blog I like.. They are my new favorite thing. This recipe looks fantastic and I pinned it. I don't think this was in my mom's collection, but i know tomato soup cake was! It was a favorite of mine. I have most of her recipes and they are handwritten. She has been gone almost 10 years and still to this day seeing her handwriting brings her memory back to me more strongly than anything. Your grandmother's recipes are really a treasure.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this Lazy Daisy Cake.
Nice to "meet" you"