Best 5 Martha Washington Creme Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless allure of "Martha Washington Creme Cake", a culinary treasure passed down through generations. This iconic cake boasts a delectable combination of moist, tender layers, sumptuous custard filling, and a delicate crumb that melts in your mouth. As you embark on this culinary journey, discover the secrets to crafting this masterpiece and unveil the delightful variations that make it a beloved favorite among dessert enthusiasts.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE



Martha Washington's Great Cake image

Just the other day--while laying on the couch being sick--I watched Martha Stewart's TV program. Caroline Kennedy is writing a book featuring recipes from our country's past. Martha brought out her old catering service HUGE Hobart mixer, and it was fun (being sick & all "fun" is relative!) to watch her put this together---WOW! Today I was paging through a "Christmas traditions" book my SIL gave me a few years ago and wow--here's the recipe Martha S. & Caroline Kennedy were re-creating on the TV program. The book says, "From an old manuscript dated 'Mount Vernon, 1781" made by Martha Custis Washington for her grandmama." I'm purely guessing on the serving amounts.

Provided by Debber

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield 1 huge cake, 40 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

40 eggs, separated
4 lbs butter, softened
4 lbs sugar
5 lbs flour
5 lbs fruit (pears & apples)
1/2 ounce mace
1 nutmeg
1 cup wine
french brandy

Steps:

  • WRITTEN AS PER MARTHA WASHINGTON'S DIRECTIONS.
  • Take forty eggs and divide the whites from the yolks, and beat them (whites) to a froth.
  • Then work the butter to a cream, and put the whites of the eggs to it, a cup at a time, until well-worked.
  • Then add sugar (finely powdered) to it in the same manner (one cup at a time).
  • Then put the egg yolks and flour and fruit to it.
  • Add to it mace, nutmeg, wine and brandy.
  • Two hours will bake it. (350 degrees).
  • In the TV program: Martha Stewart baked this in a 16x16x3-inch square pan (it was HUGE!). I suppose you could divide the batter between two 13x9 pans, too.
  • She frosted it with a meringue (whipped egg white & sugar) that was lightly baked to give it a crunch -- and claimed that it would keep for weeks if the cake wasn't cut.
  • She's got a smaller version on her website.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 787.9, Fat 42.5, SaturatedFat 25, Cholesterol 309.1, Sodium 333.2, Carbohydrate 89.4, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 45.9, Protein 12.6

MARTHA WASHINGTON CREME CAKE



Martha Washington Creme Cake image

This is a 2 generation favorite. The layers are similar to a genoise. The cooked filling is simple and carrys the flavors of butter, vanilla and eggs. A sifting of powered sugar just before presentation is all it needs. I have, for birthdays, frosted the sides with 7 minute frosting. It's time to share this.

Provided by Pastryismybiz

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cold water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Beat 3 egg yolks, sugar and water until creamy.
  • In another bowl beat 3 egg whites to soft peak.
  • Sift flours, BP and salt. Stir with whisk to mix thoroughly.
  • Add egg whites and flour mixture to egg yolk mixture alternating each and folding until batter is just incorporated.
  • Batter will have some traces of flour exposed. Do not stir and do not over mix for best results.
  • Grease 2 9" cake pans. Line bottom of each with waxed paper or parchment. Grease paper and dust bottoms and sides with flour.
  • Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick.
  • For ease in slicing the layers in 2, place cake layers in pans in freezer. To remove from pan when ready to assemble, turn stove burner to med and slide bottom of cake pan around until the heat releases cake; test by using a butter knife pulling the sides up until cake comes free from bottom.This happens within seconds. Slice frozen layers in two and spread filling between layers leaving top of cake bare.
  • Filling:.
  • Cream egg yolks.
  • Mix cornstarch with a small amount of the milk and then add to saucepan with balance of milk, creamed egg yolks and sugar. Cook until it comes to a boil.
  • Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.
  • Cool.
  • Can use leftover egg whites to frost sides of cake with 7 minute frosting.

MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE



Martha Washington's Great Cake image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     project, dessert

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1 cup currants
1 cup water
4 ounces candied orange peel
4 ounces candied lemon peel
4 ounces candied citron
3 1/2 ounces candied red or green cherries or combination
1/4 cup brandy
5 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 1/4 cups sifted unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons sherry
Sherry or brandy for soaking
Candied cherries for decoration, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Soak raisins and currants in water in small bowl overnight.
  • Combine orange peel, lemon peel, citron and cherries in mediumsize bowl, sprinkle with brandy; let stand overnight.
  • Grease two 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch pans.
  • Beat egg whites in medium-size bowl with electric mixer until foamy white. Beat in 1/4 cup of the sugar slowly until meringue forms stiff peaks; reserve.
  • Beat butter, remaining sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about five minutes.
  • Sift flour, mace and nutmeg onto wax paper. Stir into batter alternately with sherry, blending well.
  • Drain raisins and currants. Add to batter with candied fruits and brandy, mixing well.
  • Fold in reserved meringue until no streaks of white remain. Pour batter into pans. Place in a roasting pan on lowest rack of oven. Fill halfway with boiling water. Place cakes on middle rack of oven.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Lower heat to 325 degrees and bake 55 minutes longer until centers spring back when lightly touched with fingertip. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
  • To store: wrap in sherry- or brandy-soaked cheesecloth; place in tightly covered containers for a month or longer. Pour more sherry or brandy over cake when cheesecloth dries out.
  • Garnish with candied cherries, if you wish.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 327, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 52 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 32 milligrams, Sugar 36 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MARTHA WASHINGTON'S GREAT CAKE



Martha Washington's Great Cake image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dessert

Time 1h45m

Yield 2 loaf cakes

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1 cup currants
1 cup water
4 ounces candied orange peel
4 ounces candied lemon peel
4 ounces candied citron
3 1/2 ounces candied red and/or green cherries
1/4 cup brandy
8 ounces butter, softened
1 cup sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 1/4 cups sifted unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons Sherry Sherry or brandy for soaking Candied cherries, optional

Steps:

  • Soak the raisins and currants overnight in water in a small bowl. Combine the orange peel, lemon peel, citron and cherries in a medium-size bowl; sprinkle with brandy and marinate overnight.
  • Beat the butter, three-quarters of a cup of the sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice at high speed in electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about five minutes.
  • Sift the flour, mace and nutmeg on wax paper. Stir into the batter alternately with the Sherry, blending well.
  • Drain the raisins and currants. Add them to the batter with the candied fruits and brandy, mixing well.
  • Beat the egg whites until they are foamy. Beat in the remaining one-quarter cup of sugar slowly until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter.
  • Grease two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch pans. Spoon the batter into the pans. Place a large pan filled halfway up with boiling water on the lowest oven rack. Place the cakes on the middle oven rack.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake 55 minutes longer or until the cake centers spring back when lightly touched. Cool the cakes on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans.
  • Wrap the cooled cakes in Sherry- or brandy-soaked cheesecloth. Place in tightly covered containers or wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Check the cheesecloth occasionally. If it dries out, add more Sherry or brandy.
  • Garnish the cakes with candied cherries, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 324, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 52 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 32 milligrams, Sugar 36 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MARTHA WASHINGTON CANDIES



Martha Washington Candies image

Here is a candy that can be given as gifts during the holidays or just gobbled up whenever you have a hankering for it. They are a hand-dipped pecan candy in a fondant-like base.

Provided by Willi

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes     Nut Candy Recipes

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup margarine
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups chopped pecans
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Steps:

  • Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper. Set aside.
  • Mix margarine, sugar and sweetened condensed milk in large mixing bowl. Add coconut, pecans, and vanilla; mix well, using a sturdy large spoon. Chill until firm enough to handle.
  • Form into small balls and place on prepared cookie sheets . Chill until very firm.
  • Melt chocolate chips in top pot of double boiler over simmering water. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate. Let cool on wax paper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.9 calories, Carbohydrate 21.2 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 63.1 mg, Sugar 19.7 g

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, ensure that all your ingredients and tools are prepped and measured. This will make the baking process smoother and more efficient.
  • Proper Measuring: Use accurate measuring cups and spoons to ensure the correct proportions of ingredients. Incorrect measurements can affect the final outcome of the cake.
  • Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture. Fresh eggs, butter, and milk will make a big difference in the final product.
  • Creaming Butter and Sugar: Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, resulting in a lighter and airier cake.
  • Folding Dry Ingredients: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, do so gently and gradually. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake.
  • Baking Temperature: Preheat your oven to the correct temperature before baking the cake. An accurate oven temperature ensures even baking and prevents the cake from overcooking or undercooking.
  • Cooling the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting it. This will prevent the frosting from melting and seeping into the cake.
  • Storing the Cake: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

Martha Washington Creme Cake is a classic American dessert that has stood the test of time. Its moist, tender crumb and creamy, flavorful frosting make it a favorite among cake lovers of all ages. With careful attention to detail and the use of high-quality ingredients, you can recreate this iconic cake in your own kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this step-by-step guide and tips will help you achieve a delicious and impressive Martha Washington Creme Cake that will surely be a hit at your next gathering.

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