Evening star., 1947-11-03
SHENANDOAH FRUIT CAKE.
From Mrs. c., Alernndria.)


From Mrs. c.. Alernndria.)
For Mrs. G. L.. Riverdale and
others interested in The Shenan-
doah Valley Fruit Cake. The
amount of flour called for in the
recipe equals 3la measuring cups
of unsifted sflour. The wine, y
measuring cup. I use separate -four
for Touring the fruits. Just coat
lightly with flour. AS stated when
I first sent this recipe in, it is at
least IS years old. I've been sue
cessful in using it over thirty years.
The only change I've made in it
Is the use of more cinnamon and
cloves. I use tablespoons CHINA
mon and 2 teaspoons cloves and I
always use home made watermelon
ring preserves: the rest Of the in
gradients as called for I also think
whiskey better for keeping the cake
moist after it is baked than wine
and 1t also improves the flavor.
The original recipe won the
Blue Ribbon over 10 or a dozen
cakes of its kind at the jefferson
County Fair near ShepherdstoWn,
w. Va, In the northern end of the
Shenandoah Valley.
The setting for the fair. was an
old homesite called Fountain Rock
named from the huge spring of
water walled in gray limestone
rocks. The entire spring was in
closed and one of the fair buildings
was erected over it. At its outlet
for about a length of 40 to 80 feet
there we're pint drinking cups Of tin
hung along a board inclosure for the
benefit of the thirsty crowd (there
were mo germs" in those days.
This fair was unique in that it
was a combination of a fair and
a 4 day picnic. In the upper part
of the grounds in an elm grove there
were from so to IS tents where many
of the leading citizens had two
room affair, one room fitted with
table and chairs for dining, the
other used as sitting room. Near
here were the ruins of the old
stone house its vine covered walls
are still standing. Here also was
the large Ladies Department" and
how the ladies did pride themselves
on each trying to outdo the other.
Such an array of delicious food
made of the purest ingredients so
plentiful there then. 1t was here
the fruit cake was on display
amidst 10 or IL of its kind. 1t
was made by lady from Shep-
herdstown, West Va, well noted for
her fine cakes, pastries and beaten
biscuit.
1t was at this fair I first made
acquaintance with the Balloon Man
and saw "Zetta" and Gipsy Queen, a
pretty. dainty looking blond with
red billowy dress and many beads.
less a Gypsy than a Palmist. 1t
was here ] heard Williams Jennings
Bryan speak and at the fair that I
had my first ride on the splendid
merry-go-round.
Thursday and Friday brought a
multitude of persons from Mary
land and Virginia and Thursday
was known as Maryland day. On
that day the ladies from Maryland
came dressed in the latest style.
What with the brass bands the
fine agricultural exhibits it was, as
I've said, a unique affair.
I'm so glad that many of the
readers have enjoyed the fruit cake
Long live the Clearing House! I
especially treasure the recipes I've
cut from It,
Editors note: Because OF the
demand, here is the original cake
recipe.
Shenandoah Valley Fruit Cake:
fReprinted from the Readers Clear
ing House. october 3, l9440 Two
pounds raisins, I pound currants,
! pound English walnuts, u pound
citron homemade watermelon rlnd
preserves are fne). y pound lemon
and orange rind mixed, y pound
candied cherries.
Prepare the above ingredients
first by Touring raisins and cur
rants and by cutting the citron,
orange and lemon peel, cherries and
walnuts in small pieces (this can
be done the day before.
Now cream 2 cups butter COR other
shortening, or lard and margarine
mixed with the butter) and 3 cups
sugar. Sift 334 cups flour with l
teaspoon baking powder. Add l
tablespoon cinnamon, teaspoon
ground cloves, large teaspoon nut
meg, grated to the flour; 7 eggs, 4
cup milk, q glass wine, small bot
tie of lemon Cor 2 tablespoons
lemon) extract. After creaming but
ter and sugar add eggs beaten sep
arately, next add milk, then the
-four and wine alternately, lastly the
fruit
For baking, set the oven $50 de-
grees. Line either large, plain
pan 10 inches in diameter across the