eat cake, for real

Richard installed Google analytics on my blog so that I can learn more about my several readers. I thought I knew all three of you since I obsessively read your blogs, but it turns out that not only do I have readers in Delaware (Ran and myself), New York (Jocelyn), and California (Ally), but someone also visited my blog from Canada, and someone (maybe the same person) stumbled onto "Eat Cake" while looking for a recipe for cake, of all things.

So, for that person, and the rest of my faithful readers, I am posting my favorite cake recipe. Growing up, this is the cake that I always requested for my birthday. It was handed down to my mom by the cook in her sorority house, name of Smitty (if you know my mom, the idea of her in a sorority is pretty hilarious, by-the-bye). It sounds gross, but it is delicious, really.

Mayonnaise Cake (Smitty)
Makes a 3-layer cake

3 C. flour
2 C. sugar
10 T. cocoa
4 t. baking soda
1 1/2 C. mayonnaise
2 C. cold water
2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt

Sift together dry ingredients. Add water and beat 1 minute. Add mayonnaise and beat 1 minute. Add vanilla and beat 1 minute.

Pour batter into 3 greased, floured 9-inch round pans. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean (this part of the instructions is missing....so use your best judgment!)

Butter Icing (Jesse)
(this recipe is courtesy of the sister of our old neighbor, Cookie)

3 T. flour
1 C. milk
1 C. butter, softened
1 C. sugar
1 t. vanilla

Combine flour and milk. Strain to remove any lumps. Cook over medium heat until boils and becomes very thick, stirring constantly. Cool completely.

Cream butter. Add sugar. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat with electric mixer until fluffy.