Burnt-Sugar Cake

• Sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup cold water

Melt 2/3 cup sugar in large heavy skillet, stirring constantly. When a dark brown syrup, remove from heat; slowly add 2/3 cup boiling water. Heat and stir till all dissolves. Boil to reduce syrup to 1/2 cup; cool. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups sugar to shortening, creaming thoroughly. Add vanilla, then eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each. Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with water, a small amount at a time, beating smooth after each addition. Add 3 tablespoons cooled burnt-sugar syrup. Beat well for 4 minutes at medium speed. Bake in 2 paper-lined 9-inch round pans in moderate 375-degree oven about 20 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in pans; turn out.

Burnt-Sugar Frosting

• 2 egg whites
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 to 4 tbsp. burnt sugar syrup
• 1/4 cup cold water
• Dash of salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients except vanilla in top of double boiler; beat 1 minute with electric or rotary beater, place over boiling water and cook, beating constantly, until mixture forms peaks, about 7 minutes. Remove from boiling water. Add vanilla and beat till of spreading consistency about 2 minutes. Swirl frosting on top and sides of cake.

---

Let the delicious aroma of homemade cookies take you back to childhood memories at grandma's house. With Fabulous Old-Time Cookies you can easily be baking the same delicious treats she did.