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501(c)3

 

Why are foodways important?

Foodways is the study of what people eat and why. Why we procure, prepare and serve the food we do has cultural, sociological, geographical, financial and political influences.

 

 

Why is recognition of diverse foodways valuable?

Preserving our past and present for the future by research, documentation and oral histories. It is culinary anthropology on the hoof, paw, root and leaf.

 

 

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Contestant, Missouri State Fair, 2014

 

Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance

FAMILY HEIRLOOM RECIPES

Picnics and Family Reunions

 

Missouri State Fair

August 9, 2014

 

Contestant

 

 

Skillet cake frosting Midwest Foodways Missouri State Fair

(Image by Catherine Lambrecht)

 

Skillet Cake

Melissa Hunton, Sedalia, MO

 

 

This is an oral recipe. I was never able to find a written copy from any of my relatives, but they knew all about it and were able to recite the recipe to me. This cake recipe has been passed down from my Great-Great Grandma through generations to me. They used this cake recipe as one of their only forms of dessert during the depression because they were so poor. At all family “get-togethers” with my great-great grandma and great grandma, one of them would make this cake for one of the desserts to be served.

My aunt remembers that all of the grandchildren loved the Burnt Sugar Icing. When ever they would get a chance they would sneak in the kitchen and “pick” a piece of icing off the cake. Then when it was time for desert, the cake would almost be “bald” from all the grandchildren getting an early taste.

So at future “get-togethers,” my great grandma would make extra icing so that the grandchildren could just eat the icing.

 

 

Skillet Cake

Melissa Hunton, Sedalia, MO

 

Cake:

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

Light Cream

 

Burnt Sugar Icing:

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 Tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

 

Cake:

In a one cup measuring cup, place two eggs. Fill rest of measuring cup with cream to the top. In a large bowl, combine sugar, eggs and cream and stir with a fork until blended smooth. Add flour and baking powder and beat with fork until almost blended then add vanilla. Continue to beat with fork until all lumps are gone. Grease and preheat 8-inch iron skillet. Pour batter into skillet and bake in a moderate oven (350°F) for 30 minutes.

 

Burnt Sugar Icinq:

On stove top, in an iron skillet, cook sugar until it starts to melt. Then pour in milk and cook until soft ball stage (drop by teaspoon into a cup of cold water, will form a ball). Remove from heat and butter and vanilla. Beat with fork until spread able.

 

Yield: 12 pieces