Cake of Genoa with Buttercream Frosting

The beauty of this blog is the pictures. . .I say that not to boast or beg affirming words. . .but really, unless you can see the beauty that a simple recipe can produce it can easily be overlooked. Take this recipe for instance... . I found it in the Mennonite Treasury of Recipes. It was submitted by E. Friesen of Winnipeg Manitoba. The recipe was easily followed. . .but I had never made it before. . . I tried it for a special birthday cake this last week and now, it will be made many more times.

Though the recipe calls for two 8 inch pans, I made it into a small 5 inch Spring form pan and cut it into many layers. . .There was enough batter for two such cakes. . .one is in the freezer.

Cake of Genoa

• 1 cup of eggs. . .about 5
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup flour

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Beat the eggs until light and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the sugar, salt and vanilla.
4. Beat until thick and lemon colored.
5. Gently fold in the flour. . .2 tablespoons at a time.
6. Pour into a well greased pan that is lined with parchment paper at the bottom.
7. Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes. . test with a toothpick. . it should be clean.
8. Cool in pan.
9. Split cake into layers. . .at least 2 I did 3.
10. The recipe calls for Butter Cream between all the layers and then icing the outside the same. I whipped heavy cream, added a bit of sugar and used some Whip it to stabilize the cream and spread the whipped cream between the layers.

Butter Cream

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 eggs or 6 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup very soft butter

1. Combine the sugar and the cornstarch in a large microwave safe bowl.
2. Add the eggs or egg yolks. Beat until fluffy.
3. Stir in the milk.
4. Put in the microwave and heat for one minute at a time, stirring well after each minute.
5. Continue to heat until thick.
6. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla
7. Cover with plastic wrap right on the surface of the custard
8. Allow to come to room temperature. . .make sure it is not still a bit warm. . .be patient.
9. Stir well.
10. Add the softened butter. . .until smooth and combined.
11. Cool a little till perfect spreading consistency.
12. Decorate your cake. . .as you please. I spread melted chocolate onto parchment paper. . very thinly, put it in the fridge for a day or two, and then rolled it up. . .and allowed the chocolate to fall into a zip loc bag. . .and voila. . .chocolate shavings. . big and small.
13. I also toasted some almonds in the oven. . .please don't walk away and blog while you are doing this. . .you'll repeat the process if you do.