Talking Points

            Winter At Lake Tahoe

We’re deep into winter here at the Lake Tahoe Institute of English.  It’s been unusually cold, and although it is sunny and beautiful today, we’ve had a number of nice storms with lots of snow.  We have clients right now, but in a few days I’ll be able to try out my new skis!  Yahoo!  We love winter here.

My Favorite Cake

I wanted to share my very favorite recipe with you today.  Many of our clients have had Sweet Potato Cake when they have studied with us, and I think it has always been their favorite, too. 

This recipe came to me many, many years ago from a friend’s mother, who is from Macon, Georgia.  It has been in her family for a long time, and is an authentic and incredibly delicious traditional Southern cake.  I hope it is easy for you to make, and that you find it delicious, too!

Here is the recipe:

SWEET POTATO CAKE

from the kitchen of Juanita Huckaby

Macon, Georgia

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potato

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

1 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup coconut  

Beat eggs and oil;  combine with dry ingredients.  Fold in potatoes.

Bake at 375 degrees F in tube pan.

                       ICING

1 stick butter (1/4 pound)

1  8 ounce package of cream cheese

1 cup chopped nuts

1 box confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

2 tablespoons vanilla

2 tablespoons of milk, if needed

Soften butter and cream cheese.  Mix well.  Add vanilla, sugar and nuts.

**Note from Boni:  This is the recipe exactly as it came to me from Juanita Huckaby. 

I usually add a little vanilla to the cake.  Since I live at 7000 feet altitude (2,350 meters), I bake the cake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes.  At sea level, it probably takes about an hour.  Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

When I do the icing, I mix the butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and milk, and spread it on the cake.  Then I sprinkle the nuts on top.

Bon apetit, buen provecho, etc.!