Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Butter and Sugar Hug for Monet- My Mama's Cold Oven Pound Cake


     My Mama has been making this pound cake for as long as I remember, and whenever I make it, it reminds me of home and my family and just wraps me up in a great big butter and sugar hug. I'm re-posting this recipe today for Monet, the sweet and insightful writer of anecdotes and apple cores, who needs some hugs right now. She and her family have been beset by tragedies recently, and Lizzy and Kate came up with the idea of making her a book of comfort food recipes- foods to soothe the soul. I know that food can't solve all of the problems in the world, but it sometimes makes them easier to bear. Here's a hug today Monet, from my mama and me.

My Mama's Cold Oven Pound Cake

     My Mama makes the BEST pound cake in the world. Tender crumb on the inside, with a slightly chewy crust...yummmm. Not too sweet, it's as good all by itself with a cold glass of milk as it is dressed up with strawberries and whipped cream. And toasted with a little bit of vanilla ice cream on top? There's nothing better, I'm sure. Mama's cake always has a fine crumb and lovely light texture-never heavy. And it always tastes better when she makes it- it's a buttery slice of home!


Mama's Cold Oven Pound Cake (printable recipe)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
scant 3 cups sugar
3 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
4 eggs from happy hens
1 tsp. vanilla (2 if you don't use the butter and nut)
1 tsp. butter and nut flavoring (optional)

Cream together butter, shortening, and sugar.
My mama always used a hand mixer for this and her cake always turns out better than mine!
Beat in half of the cake flour, half of the milk, and the salt until combined.
Beat in eggs, one at a time. (Beat each one in until it disappears into the batter- don't over-beat.)
Beat in the rest of the cake flour, milk, and flavorings.

Pour batter into a greased and floured tube pan. Put in a cold oven and set temperature to 325 degrees. Bake for 1 hour. Increase temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes longer or until cake is done. (cake tester comes out clean)

69 comments:

  1. Unbelievable! My mother made the same pound cake and my sisters and I could not find the recipe after she passed away. I am SO excited! She said the key to making this most delicious of pound cakes was the cold oven and that it should not be cut for three days after baking. That never happened as we were standing by for a piece. Oh, and she said we must not slam any doors as that would make the cake "fall" and be "sad". Well, we loved those little denser pockets of "sad" so, once she left the kitchen, we'd jump up and down in front of the oven. You might want to add that to your directions!! = )

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. beautiful picture.... looks so good !!!!

    i have never seen the cold oven recipe....and i am making it...to serve with berries and cream...for the 4th of july....

    loved the little story that you wrote about it too...a charming cake with a charming story....

    happy to stop by today, my friend

    kary and teddy
    xx

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  3. This loks like a delicious pouncake. I am bookmarking this recipe for sure! Recipes from our mothers aare usually the best!

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  4. I have everything but the happy hens-darn! Sounds great and looks even better:@)

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  5. this is gorgeous! i am super impressed!

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  6. Nothing better than a sugar and butter hug! Your pound cake is definitely a true comfort food...thanks so much for being a part of this project for Monet~

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  7. What an interesting recipe, never seen a cake started in a cold oven, it looks delicious.
    Congratulations on participating in the wonderful project for Monet;-)

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  8. This looks really yummy, I love the lighting the first photo too :) Please pass on my hugs to your friend, I hope they feel better soon!

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  9. I can't think of a better way to honor or comfort someone than with a favorite dish. This is a beautiful pound cake.

    Sending positive thoughts Monet's way.

    Cheers.
    Velva

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  10. What a sweet idea for Monet. Your mom's cake looks like just the thing to comfort a weary soul.

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  11. What a fantastically golden pound cake! Yum!

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  12. I love the idea of giving a friend on line or off one big sugar filled hug of comfort food!

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  13. This looks divine!!!! I'd love to try this sometime! I'm sure I'd fall in love! And you're right that food can make things better. It can comfort us when we're feeling sick (chicken soup and homemade bread fresh from the oven) and make celebrations memorable.

    A good meal with family, friends, and loved ones is always wonderful. Food puts smiles on our faces, gives us strength and energy, and makes us feel great! :)

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  14. This is a lovely cake! It's beautiful and looks delicious!
    My heart goes out to Monet. In times like this, it is a nice to know that there are friends, whom you never met, are there with words of comfort.

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  15. This is perfect for Monet.. she always makes the most delicious looking baked treats, and this one certainly fits that bill. I love this idea for her!

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  16. I can't even begin to tell you how many memories this post just brought back to me of my late grandmother's pound cake.! She made the best pound cake in the world and i swear it looks just like yours! What an amazing recipe and one I have to try immediately!

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  17. What a lovely creation;love this cold oven way of starting it. So nice to hear where a recipe originates from.
    Rita

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  18. How sweet...and Monet is definitely the most deserving person I know. This would comfort anybody's soul :D

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  19. This absolutely reminds me of my childhood, Great Grandma and the apple trees. She would send us out to pick apples and cook them up into some magical apple deliciousness and serve them over pound cake.

    I can't wait to try this!

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  20. Oh, how terrible sad. I just read Monet's last post and I can't believe what her family has been through recently.

    This pound cake is like a warm, comforting hug.

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  21. You are so sweet. Your mama's cake looks just wonderful. There is truly nothing like the comfort of a familiar recipe made with love. Have a nice weekend :)
    Katie

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  22. That's a real good pound cake. I am drooling!

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  23. Life is better with friends and I can think of no better way to show friendship than with a treasured recipe.
    Mimi

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  24. Oh, girlfriend, you KNOW I'm gonna try this one. Question: why start with a cold oven? That's a new one for me.

    And what a nice thing to do for Monet. You've got a big heart.

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  25. The pound cake looks so soft and smooth! And bake in a cold oven? That's new to me. I will have to try it.

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  26. Lovely cake. Such a classic it never grows old. My condolences to your friend for her tragic loss

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  27. Oh this pond cake looks so delicious. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

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  28. When I think of pound cake, your pound cake is what I think of. It sounds perfect and how interesting you put it into a cold oven. I'd love a huge piece with a cold glass of milk.

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  29. I trust that that is the best poundcake ever...the crumb on it looks tender & amazing!

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  30. Your post is delicious on several levels. There is, of course, the cake. Then there is your concern to comfort Monet which is just as appealing. You are a good friend. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  31. What a series of shocking events Monet is having. I left a word of sympathy and agree this comfort food cookbook is a lovely gesture.
    The pound cake is definitely comfort, Betty. A wonderful recipe.

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  32. Mama's cookin is always best, isn't it? Things always seem to taste better coming from our moms :) They put so much love into it, and we can taste it! As always, your photos have me yearning for a slice... or 3! And you are so sweet to think of Monet by sending her this sugar hug. I'm off to check out her blog now :)

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  33. It looks irresistible. I love pound cake.

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  34. This looks so delightful and what a sweet idea to make a book of comfort food for someone who needs some comfort. It's acts like this that make the world of blogging so beautiful.

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  35. What a great classic cake recipe! Thanks for sharing

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  36. This is my favorite kind of dessert and is perfect with a few fresh, sweet strawberries that are just coming in. Good recipes with memories attached are the very best kind.

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  37. Pound cake really is comfort food. This looks superb! It's so dense and golden and oh so delicious. Looks like a keeper of a recipe. Thanks for sharing it.

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  38. Hi Betty,
    It is great to see you out and about again. Your pound cake is out of this world, I will be making it. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week!
    Miz Helen

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  39. What a beautiful pound cake, and an equally beautiful gesture for Monet. You have certainly chose a very special pound cake that looks, and sounds absolutely perfect and delicious.
    A genius idea with the cold starter oven...perhaps, that's why it turned out so amazing:DDD

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  40. Hi sweet lady...how did you know that I love pound cake so much? This recipe is just perfect, and I can't wait to try it. Thank you for being a part of that beautiful gift. I treasure you and all the other people who took part in it. You are such a blessing to me. Much love from Austin!

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  41. I love your comment that your mother's is always better than yours. I think it is know that someone who loves you has made you something special - my mother's potato soup is like that. This looks wonderful and very, very comforting.

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  42. Oooo Moms cake looks perfect!
    Kathleen
    http://gonnawantseconds.blogspot.com/

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  43. Fabulous. I am going to have to try this. We love pound cake!

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  44. Strangely enough, I've never actually made or thought of making a pound cake. It does make me reflect on the reason behind this peculiar fact.
    What is happy about this post is the inspiration you've symbolized with this lovely cake.

    Betty, as usual, you're a gem ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  45. What a beautiful pound cake and such a nice recipe for Monet!
    PS--It is good to know you are both a cupcake and cookie friendly teacher! :)

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  46. Such a sweet dedication...I'm sending Monet a virtual hug too! And your pound cake looks amazing, Betty!

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  47. I love recipes from my childhood!!! Beautiful recipe :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

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  48. Mum's recipes are always the best! This cake looks very soft and buttery. Even nicer with your fresh farm eggs...

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  49. What a nice thing you have done for Monet. This pound cake is the perfect way to help comfort her:) It sounds wonderful.

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  50. What a sweet and wonderful idea.

    I just love homemade pound cake. I had never had it and then a neighbor made it for us. It is really incredible. Yours looks so rich and delicious. What a joy comfort food is.

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  51. Your Mama's cold oven pound cake sounds divine. And so do big butter andsugar hugs. Yum! I'd love a large piece of this with some whipped cream and fresh berries.

    So good to hear from you. I hope you're well?

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  52. What a sweet and lovely comfort treat for Monet! I can imagine that you must have some wonderful memories with your mama and this buttery cake. It looks so delicious...

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  53. This looks delicious, and how unique to bake it from a cold oven!

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  54. Oh I just love poundcake! This recipe sounds very neat. Bookmarking now!

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  55. Pound cake definitely feels like a warm hug to me as well and this recipe sounds especially delicious! Such a sweet thing to do for Monet, who really is one of the sweetest people out there!

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  56. I love having pound cake for breakfast, perfect with a cup of tea or a glass of milk.
    Baked in cold oven?!? That's so new to me and definitely a must try.
    Thanks for sharing

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  57. what a sweet gift !

    this cake looks perfect - and what a unique recipe, to cook from cold. I have starred this in my reader, can't wait to try it!

    happy Weekend.

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  58. This looks and sounds delicious. I can't wait to give this recipe a try.
    May your friend find the comfort she needs during this time.

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  59. You can't go wrong with a basic pound cake. Like the cold oven start.

    Happy hens? Love it!

    Hope you had a good Fourth and are enjoying your summer.

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  60. Betty thank you so much for sharing this with us! I definitely want to give this a go as it sounds so delicious! :D

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  61. I cannot wait to try this, I am not that professional in baking but I really keep trying my best.
    erecipe

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  62. although i've seen similar cakes many times, i've never tried the cold oven technique myself. i love pound cake--there are so many paths you can take once it's done!

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  63. That pound cake does sound and look like all kinds of deliciousness. I love that it uses shortening and butter nut flavoring---some of my favorite ingredients!

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  64. So sweet for Monet! Such kindness! A delicious hug of a cake too!

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  65. Mmm this cake looks fantastic!! Loving your blog and so glad to be your newest follower! :)

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  66. Betty, can I ask where I can get vegetable shortening from? Or can I substitute it with more butter? I'd like to use what your mama used though so if you could point me in the direction of vegetable shortening that would be most appreciated :)

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  67. @ Lorraine- The vegetable shortening we use here in the U.S. is Crisco. It's a solid (yet creamy)white vegetable shortening. USA foods sells it, but the website says it's sold out right now. If you can't find shortening, I would suggest using all butter instead. The texture might be a tad different, but I'm sure it will still be wonderful! :)

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  68. What a lovely pound cake, sounds like your mom had the best idea. Wonderful for you to share this comfort delight with Monet...beautiful dessert :)

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  69. Thanks Betty! I will look for Crisco-for some reason I can picture the packet in my head so perhaps our supermarket does sell it! :P

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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