Baking/ Recipes

Kindred Spirits

Truth is, this Project Food Blog challenge stumped me.

It really did.

I’ve gone back and forth all week on what to do…should I go simple, like an omelet? Or try something super complex like chocolate tempering or mazipan? It kinda stressed me out.

See, the instructions for the challenge simply said to post a “step by step photo recipe post”, something I do practically every day. But, I knew that to stand out from the crowd I had to do something special…something I don’t normally do in my daily recipe posts.

So, I went old school….all the way to a small town in Minnesota during the first World War, in fact. A small town where my great-grandma worked as a cake decorator, baking sweet cakes and fragrant loaves of bread all night long while wars and blizzards roared outside…

So, story-time real quick and then I promise we’ll get to baking. It all started back in 2005 when, on a break from college, I stumbled upon a very retro box of old fashioned recipes hidden in my grandmother’s attic.

Turned out, they were all of my great-grandma’s recipes, dating back all the way to 1915!

Instantly, I was intrigued and wanted to know everything I could about this woman who I never had a chance to know. Over the next few days, I learned that she was a baker and a very talented cake decorator. When she was just my age her husband got sent to France during the war and, as means to support her family until he came home, she opened up a small bakery.

Only he never came home…

I can’t even imagine.

Even though I don’t remember her (she passed away when I was two),  I think about her a lot. Stumbling upon her recipe box that day directly inspired me to go culinary school, and I like to think that on top of inheriting her recipes and kitchen tools, I also inherited her strong spirit and passion for baking.

Yesterday, these came in mail for me from my mom.

Right away when I held her perfectly tarnished cake molds in my hands, I knew what I would do for this challenge. I like to think she would have liked this, too….it seems like something she would have made.

Hazelnut Spice Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

Keep in mind that the measurements I used for this recipe yield a mini bundt cake. To make a regular sized cake, triple all ingredients!

So first, roughly chop your hazelnuts to equal a fourth of a cup. You could also use chopped walnuts if you prefer!

Combine a half cup of flour, a fourth of a teaspoon of baking powder, a fourth of a teaspoon of baking soda, a half of a teaspoon of cinnamon and a fourth of a teaspoon of nutmeg in a bowl and mix well.

Cream four tablespoons of soft butter and a fourth cup of sugar together for about three minutes, until light and fluffy.

And then, while the mixer is still running on low, add one egg yolk (save the white!) and half a teaspoon of vanilla.

After that’s all combined and smooth, measure out one third cup sour cream. Add half to the butter mixer (while the mixer is still going) and then add half of the flour. Once that’s combined, add the other half of the sour cream and the rest of the flour. Be careful not to over-mix here…it will be thick!

Voila!

Now here’s where things can get tricky but just follow my lead and I promise, you’ll be fine. Scoop out the batter into a different bowl, go wash this bowl and then whip your egg white on high until it forms soft peaks…..and then fold your chopped hazelnuts in.

Gently fold! The whipped egg whites are what gives this cake lift. You don’t want to crush them and end up with a flat bundt.

No one likes a flat bundt! (humor me…please?)

Now, butter your bundt. Please use butter for this, not cooking spray.

Scoop batter into the pan and gently smooth the top. It doesn’t have to be perfect!

Bake at 350 for about twenty five minutes (longer if you have a larger cake!).  You’ll know it’s done when the sides start to pull away from the pan and the top is golden brown.

Now we will take a brief intermission to wash the dishes. It must be done!

When the cake is cool, gently release it from the pan. You definitely want to run a knife underneath to make sure it’s not sticking…that would be bad.

Release the urge to eat while you make the icing and let the cake cool completely.

In a small bowl combine a fourth of a cup of powered sugar with two teaspoons milk and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Yummy. Now whisk together and drizzle liberally over the now-cool cake. Ridiculous!

You may now eat. Amen.

Hazelnut Spice Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

Inspired both by Grandma Rueland and Gourmet

makes one mini cake

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

4 T soft butter

1/3 cup sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

For Glaze:

2 tsp milk

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Butter a mini bundt pan and preheat your oven to 350.

Sift together the dry ingredients. Set aside.

Cream the butter and the sugar for about five minutes. While the mixer is running, add the yolk and the vanilla and mix well.

Add half the sour cream alternately with the flour mixture and beat until smooth. Set aside.

Whip egg white until soft peaks appear. Fold in the chopped nuts and then gently fold into the cake batter. Scoop batter into prepared pan and bake for about twenty five minutes, or until golden. Let cool and make glaze.

Whisk together all glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cake.

Enjoy with those you love.

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  • Runeatrepeat
    October 9, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Very sweet! Love the story with the recipe 🙂
    Good luck on this challenge too!

  • Gina
    October 9, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Wow. That looks like an amazing cake! If I hadn’t already baked a cake today, I would probably drop everything and make this now. I might do that anyway.

    Loved the story about your great-grandma! So cool that baking runs in your family.

  • Madeline- greens and jeans
    October 9, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Your great grandmother sounds like an amazing woman! I’m sure she would love this cake, because really, who wouldn’t??

  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    October 9, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    The story makes this recipe. Having old handwritten recipes with the stories that go behind are sweet and make them taste sweeter.

  • Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
    October 9, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Holy heck, YES! Hazelnuts and cinnamon. A winning combo! Perhaps I just dust off my never-been-used bundt pan.

  • Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com
    October 9, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    What a great story! I think it will really differentiate your entry from others!

    I got really excited when you said whip egg whites until you get soft peaks then fold into the dough – I learned how to do that in food lab this past week.

    Eggs are amazing things.

  • Katie
    October 9, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    That is an amazing story, I love that recipes can go along with family stories such as these.

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
    October 9, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Those handwritten recipes are precious. I can totally see them passed down for another 20 generation. You should top that hazelnut cake with Nutella too.

    I bought a pastry tip today–thought of you the whole time 🙂

  • Krystina
    October 9, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    Such a beautiful post.

  • Kathryn
    October 9, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    I was wondering what small town your grandmother is from….I’m from a small town in Minnesota too!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
    October 9, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    Great story. I love that you actually had HER pans to make the cake in. Great story. Recipe and stories are the way to go, the way to stand out, for sure.

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore)
    October 9, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    We went apple picking today and bought a dozen apple cider donuts. They aren’t really good and I kept telling my bf they need a glaze of sorts. I’ve never glazed anything in my life. Now with your simple topping I can!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers
    October 9, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    Sounds absolutely delicious! I think your step by step recipe posts are what make you stand out from the crowd anyway 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    October 9, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this story! I always believe there’s a story behind every great recipe!

    Can’t wait to make this!

  • Maren
    October 9, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    This looks wonderful, I found 4 mini bunt pans at a thrift store a few weeks ago. This would be so delicious to break them in with.

  • Tabitha (From Single to Married)
    October 9, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    I personally love going old school – that way you know it’s tried and true. 🙂

  • Lizzie
    October 9, 2010 at 5:17 pm

    Love that you’re using your grandma’s recipes – we have a similar thing going with my mum and grandma and nana. And even though both my grandma’s have passed on, it’s comforting to know that I can recreate memories of growing up with them in delicious, aroma-filled ways 🙂 Nice post!

  • Helen
    October 9, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    OMG!! This looks so delish! I will have to try this one. My mom gave me a recipe from a little lady that was a church memeber…..this post makes me want to dig that recipe out and start baking. I just may have to do that tomorrow and add to my blog!

  • RhodeyGirl
    October 9, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    This is a beautiful, beautiful post.

  • Alayna @ Thyme Bombe
    October 9, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    Hi Jenna, I’m just getting to know your blog and thought this was the right time to chime in. I love the story behind this beautiful cake, and if I didn’t have a huge cake in my refrigerator already, I’d be gearing up to make this. I’ll definitely get around to making it soon though, it just looks too good!

  • katalina
    October 9, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    I love stories about grandmas, and also their recipes 🙂 I had the great chance in my life to know my grand-grand-mother, I was already 18 when she passed away! I still pray for her almost everyday, and remember her also everyday, she was a great person, and also a VERY good baker! 🙂 Wish you luck with the challenge, you are the BEST! you use BUTTER and SUGAR! 🙂 can never ever go wrong with these 2 ingredients!

  • Nancy in Naples
    October 9, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    Love this story, Jenna . . .

  • Errign
    October 9, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I love the story behind this 🙂

    Plus, it looks like it tastes amazing!

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner?
    October 9, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    I love seeing old recipes like this… I have a file of my grandmother’s recipes, and I love how similar this is to one of hers. Great post and good luck!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    October 9, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    Love. Great tutorial Jenna!

  • Amy
    October 9, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    My Nana is also my baking inspiration and I inherited all of her cookbooks and recipes, such a trove.

    You step-by-step photos and instructions are perfect, I look forward to trying this recipe!

  • Jess
    October 9, 2010 at 6:31 pm

    Hi Jenna,

    I’m a long-time reader, first-time commenter (EVER in the blog world)! I have to say that I absolutely adore your blog. Your passion for food simply shines through your posts…you have such a healthful and joyous approach to living! I can connect with your story today. I didn’t know my grandmother very well before she passed, but I feel like I have inherited so many of her artistic passions. It’s a powerful thing.

    P.S. I ESPECIALLY adore your writing because I am working on my master’s degree to become an English teacher…and you can ACTUALLY write! Is it wrong for me to stop following other blogs when the writers can’t use the correct “there” in posts? 😉

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    October 9, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    it’s so funny that you mention your grandmother. i have a great-aunt who had the same love of food and baking that she passed to my Papa who passed it to me. i would do just about anything if i could somehow get hold of her recipes!

  • eatmovelove
    October 9, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    This is lovely. I’m not going to lie, I feel like the Project is really a lot about popularity and so many people are deserving. BUT…I truly do hope that you win. Simply because you keep it pure with the food, cooking, baking, etc. You get to the heart of it.

    It just really seems like your passion and you put work and thought into it.

    Thank you.

  • grocery goddess jen
    October 9, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Amazing and awesome as always, Jenna.

  • Kris
    October 9, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    I have my grandmother’s handwritten wedding cake (spice) recipe, also from Minnesota. I’ve never made it; many of the measures of not very precise (like “a small jelly jar of brandy”). Maybe one day I’ll try it, but it the meantime, I’m so happy to have the recipe as she wrote it out.

  • Jae
    October 9, 2010 at 7:12 pm

    LOVE the historical/WWI connection doused with a dose of L<3ve 🙂

  • Linda
    October 9, 2010 at 7:24 pm

    Great post!! I am going to vote for u..kinda made my night to think about my relatives i did not know:))

  • Jenna
    October 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm

    The cake sounds great, and this post might just help me overcome my fear of bread-baking (once I get a bundt or loaf pan that is).
    I love the story about your great-grandma. I come from a long line of strong women who were (and are) wonderful cooks too. I found this quote from my great-grandmother in our family cookbook: “If I had a nickel for every five-pound bag of flour I have made into biscuits, I would be a rich woman.”

  • caronae
    October 9, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    I love the story with this recipe. It sounds like it is made with such heart and love. My grand ma is 86 and I don’t know how many years she has left — I need to collect recipes from her. Her chocolate chip bundt cake is legendary!

  • Lisa @ bakebikeblog
    October 9, 2010 at 7:43 pm

    Wow!! This is brilliant!

  • marie
    October 9, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    *drool drool drool*

  • Dee
    October 9, 2010 at 8:19 pm

    that looks amazing! I loved hearing the story of your great grandma. 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    October 9, 2010 at 8:31 pm

    That sounds AMAZING! And I love your story behind it!

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    October 9, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    what an awesome tribute and an awesome recipe!
    the Glaze. Oh the glaze. I would be happy to just have that!

    And thanks for all the pics and step by step…I do step by step on my blog frequently and it takes twice as long to make something when every 5 secs you need to stop, wipe hands, get camera out, and take a pic. Thank you for the photos..not to mention blogging it all takes just a smidge of time 🙂

  • stacey-healthylife
    October 9, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    You are famous for step by step recipes and your so good at it.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    October 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    Great recipe! That is so insane that you found out about your great grandmother like that – it’s cool that her legacy is living on through you. I <3 it!

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    October 10, 2010 at 4:47 am

    love this post, good luck!

  • Cara Craves...
    October 10, 2010 at 4:55 am

    Hello deliciousness!

  • Carly (Swim, Run, Om)
    October 10, 2010 at 5:29 am

    I know you didn’t intend this, but I am sitting here crying right now. My great-grandmother (who I never knew, she died years before I was born) left behind the one cookbook she brought over from Croatia. Whenever I hold it, I feel that instant connection. I literally know nothing about her, but I often wonder how much of her is running through my veins. I’ve always felt a “kindred spirit” bond with her. This was a beautiful post (oh, and the recipe looks good, too 😉 )

  • Maya
    October 10, 2010 at 5:33 am

    What a beautiful, beautiful post, Jenna. I’m bookmarking this recipe for sure.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
    October 10, 2010 at 5:42 am

    I loved reading the story about your great-grandma. It’s so cute that she inspired you to go to culinary school! You should follow in her footsteps and open a bakery too. 😉

  • The Blue-Eyed Bakers
    October 10, 2010 at 5:47 am

    It is so wonderful that you have all those recipes still! And that cake looks just delicious…!

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
    October 10, 2010 at 5:51 am

    What a beautiful recipe, with beautiful history!

    xo
    Kris

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    October 10, 2010 at 5:57 am

    Great post, Jenna. Love the old fashioned charm 🙂

  • Food o' del Mundo
    October 10, 2010 at 6:13 am

    I have to say I’m all verklempt with this beautiful tribute. I’ll definitely be back to vote for you tomorrow!
    ~ Mary

  • Chicago Cuisine Critique
    October 10, 2010 at 6:52 am

    What a great story! Good luck!

  • Pam (IIN Health Coach)
    October 10, 2010 at 7:09 am

    A great story for a great recipe is such a beautiful thing!

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    October 10, 2010 at 7:41 am

    Beautiful story…

  • Jil
    October 10, 2010 at 8:17 am

    What an amazing story!! I love the old-school hand-written recipe cards (I have a few from my Grammy). I got chills when you wrote “Only he never came home..”…chills. I cannot imagine. This cake looks absolutely delicious…looks like baking is just in your blood. 🙂

  • Kelly
    October 10, 2010 at 8:19 am

    AMAZING! I saw this recipe last night before going to bed and let’s just say that Hazelnut spice cake danced in my head. I made it this morning…wow…jenna…just wow! I think I enjoyed it even more because I knew the story behind it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  • R @ learningasichop.wordpress.com
    October 10, 2010 at 8:30 am

    That box is awesome! I’ve been meaning to create a similar one for myself and future generations

  • thetreadmilldiaries
    October 10, 2010 at 8:32 am

    A delicious recipe with a beautiful, personal story. You cant’ beat that. Nice job.

  • neiry mae
    October 10, 2010 at 8:57 am

    I think this is one of your best posts yet! Or, at least, one of my favorites. 🙂

  • Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)
    October 10, 2010 at 9:02 am

    This cake looks delicious and I love the story behind it! My grandmother has binders and BINDERS of tons and tons of recipes, she used to own her own bed and breakfast and cook everything basically, so I come from a family with a lot of cooking history too!

  • Kt.
    October 10, 2010 at 9:02 am

    love the old recipe box, something you don’t see much of these days, this cake looks amazing and love the fact there’s not alot of butter in it. You have certainly changed up your food blog, but love the new look and all the recipes. I know you don’t want to discuss the magazine article again, but after reading what she wrote I just thought had to tell you how wrong I thought she was. After all, can’t one be healthy and eat cake and cookies, I’ve been doing it for years while maintaining the same weight, it’s when you deprive yourself of all the goodies is when you fall off the wagon, and consume everything in sight. Apparently she doesn’t get it…
    Keep up the good work and never doubt yourself or listen to critics, it’s only their opinion and you’ve got a great following of readers that love your style.

  • Lynna
    October 10, 2010 at 9:29 am

    How fun to have all those things from your great-grandmother. I would love to stumble upon a box full of old handwritten recipes from a relative. There’s something so romantic about that.

  • Jenny
    October 10, 2010 at 9:34 am

    I love old recipes! That cake looks quite delicious, may be trying this soon : )

  • Michelle (The Runner's Plate)
    October 10, 2010 at 9:38 am

    I’m grew up in a small farming community in Minnesota, so I was excited to read about the connection with your great-grandma who lived there too!

  • Pure2raw twins
    October 10, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Cake looks amazing!!! You are so talented…and grandma always knows best ; ) We have some family recipes we just love to re-create.

  • Kim
    October 10, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Amazing post! I absolutely LOVE the story. I wish I knew more about my family’s history.

    How do I vote for you?

  • sarah
    October 10, 2010 at 10:18 am

    Great job bringing back a treasured recipe! Our personal heritage is so important and easy to lose. Imagine how the US could be if food was treasured and respected instead of used and abused more?

  • Ella
    October 10, 2010 at 10:31 am

    that cake looks fabulous! if i was home for another night and not heading back to my on campus apartment with a pathetic excuse for a kitchen i would totally try to make it!

  • Elizabeth
    October 10, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Thanks for the recipe and the memories — I thought about my grandmother while reading about yours. I own and cherish my grandma’s recipes and some of her cake molds. They are all old and beat up and I LOVE them.

  • Karen
    October 10, 2010 at 11:08 am

    What a heartwarming story. Jenna – it’s been so fun recently to learn more about your layers through these sorts of posts.

    Congrats on another super creative contest entry!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life
    October 10, 2010 at 11:18 am

    What an amazing story! I think you made the perfect choice for the Project Food Blog challenge 🙂

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life
    October 10, 2010 at 11:23 am

    What a sweet story and a lovely cake. I think you have this challenge in the bag.

  • Ahn Ei
    October 10, 2010 at 11:26 am

    Wow, what an amazing post! Good Luck!

  • julia
    October 10, 2010 at 11:43 am

    Really touching post, vivid writing, wonderful recipe! A joy to read 🙂

  • Katelynn
    October 10, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Wow, such a moving story Jenna.

    This challenge is yours Jenna. 🙂

  • Jessica
    October 10, 2010 at 11:58 am

    Your post brought tears to my eyes! The cake looks delicious.

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit
    October 10, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Love this post, Jenna! What a sweet story, and that cake looks delicious 🙂 It’s handy to have mini-sized pans around- I like making smaller portions of certain things sometimes bc it’s usually just for me and my husband. I have to plan ahead when making things like a batch of cookies so I have people to share them with! Good luck with the challenge.

  • Moni'sMeals
    October 10, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    great story Jenna. The recipe works too! 🙂

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef
    October 10, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    love the story! beautiful 🙂

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
    October 10, 2010 at 2:52 pm

    The story of your grandmother gave me goosebumps, as it reminded me so much of my own Memere, her retro recipe box, and all her wonderful stories that went along with.

    You wrote this post so beautifully…love it. 😀

  • Kasey
    October 10, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    Love this post! So touching that your great grandmother inspired you to go to culinary school.

  • Stephanie @ Laugh and Cook
    October 10, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Both my mom and I LOVE this post! We’ll gonna make recipe hopefully next weekend!

  • Jennifer
    October 10, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    vintage recipes are the best!

  • liane
    October 10, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    Aw, this post made me all teary. As a kid, my favourite thing to do with I would visit my Grandmother was to find her recipe box and flip through all her handwritten recipe cards. Her handwriting even looks like the writing on the cards above.
    It’s been years since I’ve raided her kitchen for that box, I will have to remind myself to do that next time I visit 🙂

  • Kristen
    October 10, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    That looks super incredibly yummy and I really liked reading the background of it all.

  • Taylor
    October 10, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I love the story and pictures…it’s a great entry for PFB! The cake looks amazing!

  • Lauren @ Fun, Fit, and Fabulous!
    October 10, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    What an inspiring story! Our family truly makes us who we are, even if we hardly had any time with them. The cake looks delicious! Good luck with the contest!

  • Camille
    October 10, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    Gorgeous!
    I absolutely love this 🙂

  • Sarah O
    October 10, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I just made this and it is delicious! I used mini-loaf tins (I don’t own a bundt…in any size). Very very yummy and it will go into my recipe rotation. Thank you for the recipe and the story behind it 😀

  • Kristy
    October 11, 2010 at 4:52 am

    The amount of history and soul in your cooking is thrilling!

  • jenna
    October 11, 2010 at 5:20 am

    i loved hearing this story!! isn’t family history great!?! this recipe sounds wonderful.

  • Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun
    October 11, 2010 at 5:48 am

    Oh, how I love going through my grandma’s old recipes. It seems like those stained, wrinkled, recipe cards hold so many memories. 🙂 Good luck on this challenge!

  • Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales)
    October 11, 2010 at 6:35 am

    Wow…what a fabulous thing to stumble upon. I always treasure old recipes. My favorite it my fauscnot recipe from my great grandmother. It’s to die for….can’t wait for Fat Tuesday to make them again!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    October 11, 2010 at 7:24 am

    Recipes that come with a good memory attached to them are always the tastiest 🙂

  • cathy b. @ brightbakes.com
    October 11, 2010 at 7:44 am

    Such a beautiful post, jenna!
    Love,
    Cathy B. @ brightbakes

  • Natalie
    October 11, 2010 at 8:57 am

    Is it ridiculous that both the story and the beautiful cake (along with the picture of all the generations!) brought tears to my eyes?! 😉 Looks amazing!

  • Amy
    October 11, 2010 at 10:34 am

    I have a story very similar to yours in that I have my great-grandma’s recipe box. I never met her either, but I feel some sort of connection with her through the recipes.

  • Amy (Sing For Your Supper)
    October 11, 2010 at 11:12 am

    What a beautiful story. My great-grandmother sold homemade candy during WWII to feed her family. Our generation is so blessed to have come from such strong, amazing women! I love this post- you absolutely have my vote!

  • Whitney @ Amuse Bouche
    October 11, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    what a tender story!! thanks for sharing Jenna!

    Whit
    http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/4/view/1272

  • stephchows
    October 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    The story was wonderful and thank you so much for sharing her recipe with us. She sounds like she was an amazing lady!! She’d be proud of you for sure 🙂

  • GRANDMA
    October 11, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    JENNA YOU ARE LOVED THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

  • Tastes Like Home — Eat, Live, Run
    October 11, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    […] some of my very favorite family recipes. My mom’s turkey chili, my great-grandmother’s bundt cake, the chocolate chip cookies I made all throughout high school and […]

  • sippitysup
    October 11, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    These dedication posts just make the sentimental fool in me just want to… vote! GREG

  • Winnie
    October 11, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    Reading your post gave me chills…so beautiful! Voted 🙂

  • Crystal's Cozy Kitchen
    October 12, 2010 at 9:27 am

    The cake looks delicious! Great tutorial – I sent a little red heart your way – Good luck!

  • ediblecville
    October 12, 2010 at 1:08 pm

    Wow. This post blew me away, my favorite so far. Not only can I not wait to make it, but you’ve done your great-grandma so proud. So jealous, my Muddy’s cake recipes died with her, you’re so so lucky to have these culinary heirlooms 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Kim Trick
    October 12, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    I’ve been voting for you! I love the step by step posts you do.

  • Jeanne
    October 12, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Those recipes are such a treasure. This is a beautiful tribute to your grandma. You have a vote from me!

  • Lauren
    October 12, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    Very nice post! Truth is, this one stumped me too 😉

  • Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
    October 12, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    Yum Yum Yum! This looks simply divine. What a gorgeous story!
    Heidi xo

  • Marisa
    October 13, 2010 at 1:47 am

    Awesome post – love the nostalgia. Hope you treasure that recipe box for years to come – it’s so special!

  • Food Lover
    October 13, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    Thanks for your sweet post 🙂 loved it, wish you good luck 🙂

  • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
    October 13, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    What an amazing idea and story! I loved this post – especially all the personal details! You have a vote from me!

    My own post is a romp through croissant making that’s filled with humor, exhaustion, and a little bit of popstar glamor. Come see if you’d like 🙂

  • Jacob's Kitchen
    October 14, 2010 at 10:00 am

    Great tutorial! i think you chose just the right recipe. My grandmother used to make a cake just like this, only she always used walnuts. Nicely done. I voted for you yet again!

    Good luck! Hope to see us both in round 5!! =)

  • Daily Spud
    October 14, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    Memories are what the best foods are made of. Your cake is a wonderfully sweet way to remember your grandmother.

  • Annalise
    October 14, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Love this post! I really enjoy using handed down recipes, there’s just something extra special about them. You have my vote!

  • Robin
    October 24, 2010 at 6:28 pm

    I just made this tonight. SOOOO good! Thanks for the recipe!

  • Caroline
    January 25, 2011 at 7:56 am

    I had some Hazelnuts left over after making the Linzer Cookie recipe you posted here so I decided to make this cake. I made a full sized cake, and used mostly ground hazelnuts (cause that’s what I had) and it came out delicious. My cake fell apart a bit when I took it out of the pan (my fault) but I pieced it back and it still looks beautiful.

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