Each week, this column offers recipes from Valley cookbooks. If your organization would like to have

Each week, this column offers recipes from Valley cookbooks. If your organization would like to have its cookbook showcased, please contact our features editor Barb Shaffer at 330-747- 1471, ext. 1282, or email her at shaffer@vindy.com.

Hugh G. Earnhart’s “Eat like a Thresherman: Recipes of a Farming Generation”

Caramel or Burnt Sugar Cake

13/4cups sugar

1/3cup hot water

3cups sifted cake flour

3teaspoons baking powder

1/2teaspoon salt

3/4cup butter or other shortening

3eggs, unbeaten

1teaspoon vanilla

2/3cup milk

Prepare burnt sugar syrup: Place 1/2 cup of the sugar in a heavy skillet, stirring constantly as sugar melts. When it becomes dark brown, remove from heat, add hot water very slowly and stir until dissolved. Cool. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together three times. Cream shortening, add remaining sugar (11/4 cups) gradually and cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each. Add vanilla and 3 teaspoons of the syrup; blend. Add dry ingredients and milk alternately, beating until smooth. Pour into pans lined with wax paper and bake in a moderate oven, 350 degrees, for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes two 9-inch layers.

Icing:

2cups sugar

1cup water

maple flavoring

2egg whites

burnt sugar

Boil together sugar and water until it threads and pour into the beaten whites of eggs, pouring slowly and beating all the while. When it begins to stiffen, add rest of the burnt sugar and a little maple flavoring. Place this between the layers and on top of the cake.

Butterscotch Cookies

4cups light brown sugar

1cup shortening

6cups flour

4eggs

1teaspoon soda

3teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1teaspoon vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, adding flour alternately with eggs. Make into three loaves. Let stand in cool place overnight. In morning, slice in thin slices and bake in quick oven (400-425 degrees). They bake very quickly.

HOW TO ORDER

Order Hugh Earnhart’s “Eat Like a Thresherman: Recipes of a Farming Generation” by contacting the author at 330-757-4727 or emailing gowie55@aol.com. Send checks or money orders to Hugh G. Earnhart, 2935 Red Maple Lane, Poland, 44514. If ordering through mail, indicate the number of copies needed, and name and address details. Cost is $11.95 with $2.75 shipping and handling.