Homegrown Tomatoes

This is why I picked the name… my Daddy always loved listening to John Denver. His music just feels like home!

Grandma McCormack’s Chocolate Cake a.k.a. Domestic Economy Cake

(preheat oven to 350 F)

Combine:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup cocoa

Mix together and pour 1 cup of boiling water over this, stirring well.

Then add:

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

Beat until smooth. 

Then add:

1/2 cup sour milk or buttermilk

1 tsp soda

2 well beaten eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Bake 25-30 minutes until the toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Frost with any icing desired.

Pecan Pie

(preheat oven to 375 F)

3 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup white corn syrup

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup melted butter

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 cup pecans (either chopped or whole, depends on what you prefer)

Mix together all ingredients except the pecans. When mixture is blended thoroughly, fold in pecans. Pour mixture into a 9” pastry lined pie plate and bake until thickened, around 40-50 minutes.

I have tin pie crust protectors that I use when baking pies… but you can also take strips of aluminum foil and crimp carefully over the pie crust if it begins to get too brown.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

(preheat oven to 375 F)

In bowl #1 mix:

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

In bowl #2 sift and stir together:

2 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

Add to creamed mixture and blend well. Roll into walnut sized balls and roll in a mixture of 2 Tbsp sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon until well covered. Place about 2” apart on cookie sheet and bake until lightly browned, but still soft. About 8-10 minutes.

These are especially yummy when still slightly warm and served in a bowl of ginger or homemade vanilla ice cream! My Nanny Dorothy and Granny Betty both had these around when I was growing up and I love making them for my boys too! YUM!

German Chocolate Sweet Cake

(Preheat oven to 350 F)

2 cups sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup shortening

4 egg yolks

2 1/2 cups flour

1tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 egg whites beaten

1 pkg German sweet chocolate dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water (3 Tbsp cocoa +1 Tbsp shortening can be substituted for chocolate)

1 tsp vanilla

Cream shortening, add sugar, beaten egg yolks, 3/4 cup of the buttermilk (set remaining 1/4 aside) and gradually add flour to shortening mix.  Add the soda to the remaining buttermilk, then add to the flour mixture.  Add vanilla to the chocolate and then add the chocolate to the flour and shortening mixtures.  Fold in well beaten egg whites and bank in 3 floured and greased layer pans for 30-35 minutes.

Icing for German Chocolate Cake

1 pint cream

4 egg yolks

2 cups sugar

1 cup pecans

1 cup coconut

2 Tbsp butter

Mix cream, egg yolks and sugar. Cook until thick and add coconut and nuts.  Let cool, then spread on cake. Enjoy!