So I was cleaning out my linen closet. I think it is funny that I even have a linen closet! Only grown ups like Martha Stewart have linen closets right? So my closet has exactly ONE shelf for linens....well maybe a shelf and a half. It is crammed with other things that I just didn't know where to put at the moment I had them in my hands, so why not put them in that most convenient out of sight place that I could find. Martha would have a stroke if she ever saw it! I decided this week that I want to have a nicely organized closet where I can fit all my actual linens such as towels and extra blankets. It would be a so nice wouldn't it? Now you are asking what does this have to do with cooking or baking? WAIT FOR IT!!!! Patience is a virtue my friends! Ok on the floor of my "linen" closet sat 2 banana boxes from when I moved to the house 2 years ago. They have sat in the exact same spot as that first day, sitting waiting for me to go through them and sift through what I wanted and what I didn't. They were boxes of..................…
cookbooks.
My grandma's cookbooks. There was a plethora of various types. Most were very outdated and the pictures were.....umm....lets say that we have come a LONG way in printing and the publishing of photos of food. This would be the spot where it would be nice to take a picture of them so you all could see what I sifted through. It would wouldn't it?
My camera is broken. So we will just have to imagine ok!
I found some neat vintage books that I just couldn't get rid of, they just looked so........soooo COOL! Anyways, on the side of one of the boxes sat an old velveeta cheese box stuffed with odd and end recipe cards and magazine clippings. In this box I found many neat handwritten cards that are very well used! I love the look of old recipe cards that are spattered with oil and flour and all the corners are worn. It gives me such a comforting feeling, like your old teddy or blanket. It just gave me such a warm fuzzy feeling seeing grandmas handwriting, like she was still alive. On the last recipe card I picked up it read Carrot Cake and I read the name.
Helen Graber
Helen Graber was a neat old woman who went to our church while I was just a little girl. I always think of marigolds and zinnias when I hear her name. She gave Ziploc bags of the seeds for mom to plant. She also gave us huge zucchini squashes and mom would cook up this yummy soup that I have NO IDEA how to make! (laments quietly)...but she also made THE BEST CARROT CAKE EVER!
Bold statement I know....but THE TOTAL TRUTH...hence the capital letters. EUREKA I said....ok I really didn't say that....but we all should use that word more often....it sure beats new made up words like ginormous. I hate that word. HATE IT.
So where was I ....ahhh yes, EUREKA I found the holy grail of carrot cake recipes! It is a worn handwritten card that has such a vintage appeal to it, I am in LOVE with the look of it!! So from there I ran to the computer to type to Clarinda the awesome discovery. (running might be a SLIGHT exaggeration.....more like walked purposefully....) Then I thinks to meself....why should I type it over and over to everyone when we have a blog. A FOOD blog nonetheless. So long story short....here is THE BEST CARROT CAKE EVER. I haven't made it yet, as I have been busy blogging this most momentous and important of discoveries to the world, but rest assured I WILL!
Here it is everyone! Hope you enjoy it as much I remember enjoying it.
sorry about no pictures again!
Helen Graber's Carrot Cake
Makes 2 cakes.
Sift the following together:
- 4 cups flour
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. Baking Soda
- 2 Tbsps. Baking Powder
- 2 Tbsp. cinnamon
Stir the following together:
- 2 Tbsp. vanilla
- 2 cups oil
- 6 medium eggs (or 5 large eggs)
Add:
- 4 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup ground nuts (I think she used pecans)
Stir all together and pour evenly in 2 9x13 greased and floured cake pans.
Bake for 30 minutes or until "done" on 350.
- Frost with cream cheese frosting.
Jennifer
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