Nut Cake

Despite John’s penchant for ice cream, frozen custard wasn’t the only dessert that graced the luncheon table at Simons Mansion. Occasionally, there was also nut cake, similar to this one that mystery author Helen Osterman’s mother and grandmother used to bake.

Nut Cake

By Helen Osterman

½ pound butter

2 cups sugar

6 eggs, separated

3 cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup milk

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together; add egg yolks. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add, alternating with milk. Fold in walnuts and vanilla. Last, fold in well beaten egg whites. Butter and flour a large, springform pan. Add mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours, Yield: 10-12 servings.

Note from Helen: “It’s interesting that when I was a child, many moons ago, no one worried about calories or cholesterol, and very few were overweight. Of course, we had no television until I was twelve, and everyone worked hard.”

From "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'"

All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties. www.bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at www.bryonyseries.com/Dalton_s_Dry_Goods.html.