Vintage Devil's Food Cake Recipe 1945

Who doesn't love a thick slice of Devil's Food Cake ? This recipe from the 1940's was a favorite in my parent's household. My mother's hand written note included , "this recipe takes time to make but worth it." Today's quick cake mixes are great for convenience, but 'back in the day' I'd bet this cake graced the table of many special occasions.

Devils Food Cake

Vintage Devil's Food Cake 1945

1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Cocoa
1 Cup Milk
1 Egg

Combine sugar and cocoa. Add well-beaten egg. Add milk. Cook in a double boiler until thick and smooth. Cool.

1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Milk
2 Eggs
2 Cups Cake Flour
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Baking-Soda
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Flavoring

Cream shortening and sugar. Add well-beaten eggs. Beat thoroughly. Sift flour, measure, and sift with baking-soda and salt. Add alternately with milk to creamed shortening and sugar. Add flavoring. Add cocoa mixture which has been well cooled. Beat thoroughly. Pour into well-oiled layer cake pans. Bake in a moderaye oven (375 F) about 20 minutes. Use seven-minute icing or fudge icing between the layers and over the top.
(MSH/The Household Searchlight Recipe Book)

Throw-Back Thursday: Eunice Mae Hennington

Eunice Mae Hennington

This lady, Eunice Mae Hennington, was my aunt and was the first child born to Fletcher and Ella Mae Burdette Hennington, on 14 May, 1897 in Meridian, Bosque County, Texas. She was their first child, and a sister to my dad.

I don't know when this photo was taken, but looking at her style of clothes, and the buggy, would estimate circa 1912-1915.

This is an amazing photo of that era.

Never Forget

Preserving Family Quilts

Among the many things that family historians preserve, include preserving (and identifying) family photos, recipes, family records and personal memorabilia. Don't forget to check for any needed repairs in old quilts that have been passed down in the family.

This weekend, I repaired and restored three old family quilts - and I have been very surprised and pleased with my results. The first quilt, I had to replace the binding and repair a few blocks. This was one of my mother's quilts and is about 50 years old.

The second quilt was another 50 year plus quilt. This is a Sunbonnet Sue pattern, and brought back many memories of old dresses, aprons and some of my daddy's shirts.

My third quilt needed a great deal of repair. The quilt top of this diamond pattern, was originally pieced by my great grandmother, Arizona Delay for my mother. I'm guessing that's more than 50 years ago. The binding and back are still in good condition, but I had to replace an entire row on the top. Look in the center, next to the yellow diamonds (one of Mom's old dresses) and you'll see material that has small red watermelons on it. That's the row I had to replace - and luckily, it fits in perfect !

I have another Sunbonnet Sue quilt to repair. The binding was once a brilliant turquoise, but not so much now. I also need to replace some the "girls." It's twin size, and when I was a young girl, it was my bed cover.

This is my first attempt at repairing quilts - and who knows, maybe Mom and Little Granny were guiding me. I like to think that. Hope you enjoy my weekend preservation project.

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