Old Fashion Recipes for Never Fail Cake and German Apple Cake

These cake recipes will take you back to the days when mom and/or grandma baked delicious desserts just for you.  Perhaps the ‘never-fail cake’ will remind you of a birthday cake she made for one of your early birthdays.  Or a delicious piece of white cake topped with fresh fruits or berries from your backyard garden or orchard could be a favorite memory.  Perhaps the apple cake will remind you of picking apples in the fall and coming in from the cold to the scents of apple desserts coming from grandma’s kitchen.  One of the best things about vintage recipes is the memories they bring to mind.  Of course the tastes are special, too!  Get the kids in the kitchen and let them bake up some memories of their own with you.  While working together, you can share some of your poignant memories with them.  It’s a great thing to pass family stories down to your children or grandchildren. 

OLD FASHION NEVER FAIL CAKE

1 cup sugar1/2 cup butter or lard1 egg3 tbsp cocoa3/4 cup sweet milk*1/2 cup boiling water1 tsp soda1 rounding cup flour1 tsp vanillaPreheat oven to 350 degrees.Cream sugar and butter, add unbeaten egg and beat. Add cocoa to egg mixture, blend well. Add flour and milk alternately. Last add hot water with soda dissolved in it. (Batter will be thin.) Pour into a 9×13-inch prepared baking pan. Bake 35 to 40minutes at 350 degrees. Frost with your favorite frosting.*This is regular milk; not sweetened condensed milk. The old-timers referred to regular milk as sweet milk vs buttermilk.

GERMAN APPLE CAKE

This recipe is said to be from an old church cookbook. I have no way to trace its origins.2 large or 3 small eggs1 cup salad oil (butter flavored)2 cups sugar1 tsp vanilla2 tsp cinnamon2 cups sifted flour1 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt4 cups thinly sliced apples1/2 cup chopped walnutsPreheat oven to 350 degrees.Beat eggs well, then add oil. Continue to beat while adding 2 cups sugar. Add vanilla and the sifted dry ingredients, mix well. Add the thinly sliced apples and walnuts. Pour into a 9×13-inch baking pan that has been greased and lightly floured. Bake 40 to 60 minutes until done. ICING: 2 small packages of cream cheese2 tbsp melted butter1 tsp vanilla1/2 cup powdered sugar. Mix all ingredients well with an electric mixer. If too thin, add powdered sugar until of the right consistency to spread. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, if desired.Enjoy!