Cakes and pies are taken seriously in Jefferson. There’s even an auction where prized pastry goes for $100s, if not $1,000s of dollars.
But, one of Jefferson’s most fondly remebered bakers was Mrs. Minor. Her Devil’s Food Cake and Lemon Jelly Cake are long sought after recipes. But Jannelle Reed found copies in her mother’s cards and decided to share them with us, and, all of Jefferson.
Mrs. Minor lived at what is now known as Kennedy Manor in downtown Jefferson.
We thank you Mrs. Reed, for sharing this. I’m sure it will make many a table this holiday season.
If you have other historic Jefferson Recipes, send them to us and we’ll share them. Who knows, if we get enough we just might make a cookbook.
Mrs. Minor’s Devil’s Food Cake
Lemon Jelly Also
1 c butter
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups Cake Flour
5 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. Vanilla
4 squares Chocolate, Melted
Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, But, after each, add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Bake in 3 or 4 layers at 350ª oven for about 25 minutes. Leave off Chocolate for yellow cake.
Lemon Filling for Lemon Jelly Cake
2/3 cup Sugar
3/4 cup water
1 egg (or 2 egg yolks) slightly beaten
1 Tablespoon Butter
8 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/3 cup lemon juice
Combine sugar, flour and salt in double boiler. Stir in Water. Cook over boiling water until thickened, stirring constantly. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer, stirring occassionally.
Place Filling between layers