The 1832 Cup Cake recipe

I was browsing through a book first published in 1832 called "The American Frugal Housewife" by Mrs. Child, which you can download today at Homeschool Freebie of the Day.  I think it is so fascinating to look back in history and see how people went about their daily life, and especially for me, to glimpse into the lives of homemakers.  To see the recipes they used, hear tips on how to perform housework, and remedies for sickness and other maladies is just so interesting!

As I was looking I came across this recipe for "Cup Cake":

"Cup cake is about as good as pound cake, and is cheaper. One cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, and four eggs, well beat together, and baked in pans or cups. Bake twenty minutes, and no more."

I decided to try this recipe out and here is how they turned out!  They tasted like a less rich pound cake and I think they would be sweet for a tea party with a lemon or pink glaze on top.


I did a little research on the history of cupcakes and found this on Wikipedia:

"The first mention of the cupcake can be traced as far back as 1796, when a recipe notation of “a cake to be baked in small cups” was written in “American Cookery” by Amelia Simms."

There were two uses for the name "cup cake" in the 19th century: to describe the cups or ramekins they were baked in, and the other for describing the cake whose ingredients were measured by volume in cups rather than weight.  

"...these recipes became known as 1234 cakes or quarter cakes, so called because they are made up of four ingredients: one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour, and four eggs.They are plain yellow cakes, somewhat less rich and less expensive than pound cake, due to using about half as much butter and eggs compared to pound cake. The names of these two major classes of cakes were intended to signal the method to the baker; "cup cake" uses a volume measurement, and "pound cake" uses a weight measurement."

And now I understand why this recipe tasted like a less rich pound cake!  It makes perfect sense that it was included in a frugal homemaking book :)  I think it would be fun to try out some more recipes from this book in the future.

Chai Tea

Before we bought a house we lived in a town home, and right next door to us was a nice couple from India.  Sushma and I became pretty close friends and we would pop in on each other nearly every day to chat.  I miss having a neighbor like that!  Sushma made me chai tea several times and taught me how to make it, too!

It's quite simple to make.  All you need are these ingredients:

• Milk (whole is best).  I just fill the mug I'm using, and then pour it in the sauce pan.  
• Loose Tea: A good heaping tablespoon or so.  You'll probably have to experiment a little to see what strength you like your tea.
• Sugar: A teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on how sweet you want it.

Put your milk, tea, and sugar on medium-high heat.  Your goal is not to boil it, because you want to give the tea time to brew while the milk heats up.  Stir frequently.

After a few minutes, it starts to turn a nice caramel color and that means it's done!  Now, just pour it through a fine mesh strainer and into your mug.

See how yummy that looks? Easy, huh?!  Other spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.) may be added if you like, but it's great just like this as well!

Pumpkin Dessert

I made this to take to my women's Bible study at church a few days ago.  It was very easy to make and filled the house with that wondrous-fall-pumpkin-spice-goodness!

Pumpkin Dessert

1 can pumpkin

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 c. evaporated milk

1 yellow cake mix

1 c. chopped walnuts

1 c. butter

whipped topping

Mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, spices and evaporated milk together. Put in sprayed 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin. Sprinkle walnuts over cake mix. Drizzle melted butter over the top. Bake 350 degrees for 55 minutes (until knife comes out clean). Cool. Serve with whipped topping. Enjoy!!

I should've checked it before the timer went off, because it looks a little overdone, right?  It still tasted good, at least!

Toddler Treats – and more!: Easy peasy cheesey puffs! (My take on “Goldfish”)

I think I'll try to make these this weekend!

Toddler Treats - and more!: Easy peasy cheesey puffs! (My take on "Goldfish").

Menu Plan for the Week of July 5th

Here's the menu plan for this week!  I like the idea of listing all the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners together so that I can pick and choose what to have each day of the week, but still have it written down so that I'm sure to have all the necessary ingredients!

Breakfast

• Scrambled Eggs, Smoothies


• Pancakes, Blueberries


• Soaked Oatmeal, Bananas


• Whole Wheat Toast, Peanut Butter, Yogurt, Blueberries


• Egg Sandwich, Smoothies


• Oatmeal, Yogurt, Cantaloupe

Lunch

• PB&J Sandwich, Fruit, Veggies


• Tortillas with Cheese, Salad, Fruit


• Leftovers


• Creamy Mac and Cheese, Peas, Fruit


• Beef, Bean, & Cheese Burritos, Fruit, Salad


• Homemade Pizza, Grapes

Dinner

• *Lazy Day Lasagna, Salad


• Pepper Steak with Brown Rice, Mandarin Oranges


• Mexican Lasagna, Corn & Black Bean Salad


• Tilapia, Chicken Rice, Green Beans


• *Shredded Beef Sandwiches, Corn on the Cob, Watermelon


• *Creamy Chicken & Rice, Peas & Carrots, Grapes

*Recipes from this ebook I just bought, called Slow and Savory Suppers.  It was only $3.00, too!