Part 78 (1/2)
If the number of eggs in a cake is reduced, what ingredient should be increased?
LESSON CXLV
CAKE CONTAINING FAT--PLAIN CAKE AND ITS MODIFICATIONS (A)
The ”Conventional” method of mixing cake is as follows: Cream the fat; then gradually add the sugar. Cream the mixture. Add egg yolks that have been beaten until light. Add the flavoring. Then add some of the milk and part of the dry ingredients. Repeat until all the milk and dry ingredients have been added. Beat the mixture thoroughly. Cut and fold in the whites of the eggs quickly; then turn into oiled pans. Bake layer cakes at 375 degrees F., and loaf cakes at 350 degrees F.
PLAIN CAKE
2 cupfuls flour 2 teaspoonfuls baking powder 1/2 teaspoonful salt 2 eggs 1 cupful sugar 2/3 cupful liquid 1 teaspoonful flavoring 1/4 to 1/2 cupful fat
Mix according to the directions above or according to _Method of Mixing Cake Containing Fat_.
_Compare_ this recipe with that for One-egg Cake. Note that the eggs and fat are increased, while the baking powder and moisture are decreased.
Can you account for these variations?
WHITE CAKE
Follow the Plain Cake recipe, using 4 egg whites instead of 2 eggs and the greater quant.i.ty of fat. Vanilla or almond flavoring are pleasing in White Cake. If almond extract is used, add only 1/2 teaspoonful.
White Cake is mixed according to the general directions, except, of course, that the egg yolks are omitted; the egg whites are beaten until stiff and folded into the other ingredients.
A cheaper but tasty white cake may be made by following the recipe for One-egg Cake and using 2 egg whites instead of 1 whole egg.
FRESH COCONUT CAKE
Break open a fresh coconut, save all the milk and use it as part of the liquid for a White Cake. Add milk to the milk of coconut to make the 2/3 cupful of liquid in the plain cake recipe. Prepare a White Cake in two layers.
CAKE
Break the coconut into pieces, pare these and put them through a food chopper or grate them. Prepare Boiled Frosting. When the frosting is ready to spread on the cake, add about 3/4 of the chopped coconut. Spread the mixture on the cake layers and sprinkle the remainder of the coconut over the frosting on the top layer of the cake.
A fresh coconut cake will keep moist for a week.
WATER FROSTING
1 cupful confectioner's sugar 1 tablespoonful hot water, milk, or cream Salt 1 tablespoonful lemon juice
Stir the hot water into the sugar and add the salt and lemon juice. If too stiff, add a little more boiling water.
3 tablespoonfuls of _cocoa_ or 1 ounce of _chocolate_ may be mixed with 3 tablespoonfuls of water, cooked for a few minutes, and used in place of the moisture and lemon juice. 1/2 teaspoonful of vanilla should be added when these materials are used. When cocoa is used the addition of 1 tablespoonful of b.u.t.ter improves the flavor.
_Mocha frosting_ may be made by mixing the cocoa or chocolate with strong coffee instead of water.
EGG FROSTING
1 egg white 1 tablespoonful lemon juice 1 cupful confectioner's sugar Salt