Happy New Year, Much Prosperity for 2013

As we embark on a New Year I want to say thank you to all my followers first and foremost for taking that brave step and signing up. It has been great having you aboard. Secondly I would like to say thank you to everyone that visits my blog and takes a read every now and again. It has been my pleasure entertaining you with my food talk. It has truly been a wonderful time spent with you.

As 2012 closes and 2013 begins I pray that we will all make the best use of whatever time we have, as time is so limited and so precious. I encourage you to try that recipe that you have always wanted to try. Sample that dessert you always wanted to, what are you waiting for ....just remember everything in moderation.

For me, in the new year I plan to do more writing, more reading, more sleeping, more eating, more of everything that I love. My goal is to live a fuller and less complicated life. Again everything in moderation.

A sweet treat for 2013

 

Wishing you all the very best for 2013. May God continue to bless you all.

 

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

 

Jamaican Plain Cake

Now this has to be one of my favorite cakes of all time, because just as the name suggest it is a plain cake. It is very easy to put together and it is a nice end to any meal.

I remember when I was a child growing up, my mom used to bake all the time. The rule of thumb was whenever the oven was on she would "throw" something else in there. For the most part the oven would be used on a Sunday when my dad would make bake chicken or some other meat kind for Sunday dinner, so of course you can expect my mom to bake plain cake or cornmeal pudding or good ole toto. (If you check a previous blog you will see the recipe for Jamaican Toto).

Earlier this week I was thinking of baking ..... when am I not thinking of baking : ) and I was thinking of baking some Rock Buns for the kids as a snack when they come home from school. My son says, "Mom can we have a cake or something?". So I decided to bake a Plain Cake. Lets just say its all gone now. It makes a great afternoon snack for the kids and it is very easy to make with ingredients you already have in your cupboard.

Even if you are a novice baker this is a simple recipe to make. It is also great if you half it.

Ingredients

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (makes it extra special)
6 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans or 2 9"baking pans.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add butter, milk, vanilla and almond extract.
4. Mix on low speed for a minute then on high speed for 2 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl. (Batter will be thick)
5. Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans. 
7. Bake for 1hr 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely and then enjoy.

***Note - Use grated lemon rind or lemon flavour to make lemon cake

For other Jamaican Recipes like this, you can find them in my cookbook - Jamaica's Forgotten Treats available for purchase at www.renaeescakes.com

If you like what you see, sign up and become a follower. I would love to hear from you. 

Always remember to take life one day at a time