I have been excited for the chance to post something that is a family recipe for a while. I have been digging for some of my Nanny’s (my moms mom) recipes for a while now. Still the only one I have of hers is her peanut brittle, and for some silly reason I have the desire to keep that one sacred. So when my Mother in-law, Isabel (it truly is still weird for me to say “Isabel” and not “Mrs. Lewis”. It is so hard for me to call them by their first names, I feel like my Mom is going to get after me any minute…anyone else like that? For the purpose of this post, I will do it though 
) asked me to make the families Red Earth Cake for my father in-law, Steve’s, surprise birthday dinner, I jumped at the chance. Then, I got nervous. Making a family recipe that is passed down is really a scary thing. What if it doesn’t live up to my predecessors renditions? What if I do something a little different and no one likes it?
Thankfully, I think this one turned out great, at least that is what I was told. Isabel gave me all of her tips and tricks, and the history behind the cake. I do know one thing, this cake is a must make. In fact, I plan on making cupcakes out o f it soon. If you are a fan of anything coffee flavored, you will LOVE this cake. LOVE IT.
This cake was in Isabel’s family while she was growing up and was often made for her birthday as well. Her mom even made it as the grooms cake for Steve at their wedding. Isabel also often made it for Steve’s family early on in their marriage. HER father in-law was always brutally honest when it came to food and promptly would let her know there needs to be more icing. (The icing is really what makes this cake!) Steve’s side of the family doesn’t mess around when it comes to food either. They are very particular and are all also wonderful cooks.
Whis your favorite family recipe? Is it shared or is it a secret? Who taught you how to make it? I always love hearing about other family’s traditions and recipes!
For this recipe pictured, I actually ended up doubling up and making a layer 9X13 because of the amount of people I was feeding.
Printable Recipe – REC
Red Earth Cake
Cake Ingredients:
½ cup Crisco
1 ½ cups sugar
2 whole eggs
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon red food color
3 tablespoons hot coffee
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Icing Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
16 ounces powdered sugar, sifted
4 tablespoons cocoa
4 tablespoons hot coffee
1 teaspoon red food color
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Cake Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Measure out the buttermilk first and pour it in a larger bowl and then pour in the baking soda and stir. It will increase in volume. Be sure to stir it well so that all baking soda dissolves. Set mixture aside.
Cream Crisco in mixer. Add sugar gradually and cream until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Mix cocoa, food color, and coffee in a small bowl to form a paste. Add to creamed mixture and beat until incorporated.
Approximate 2 cups, sift flour, measure exact 2 cups, and sift once more with the salt.
Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the batter, beating to incorporate after each addition. Add the vanilla.
Bake in greased and floured 9X13 pan or two 8 inch cake pans, with parchment or waxed paper liners at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until it separates slightly from the sides of the pan and a cake tester comes out clean. Don’t over bake. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
Icing Directions:
Cream butter with sugar in mixer.
Make paste of coffee, cocoa, food color and add to creamed mixture. If necessary, add more coffee until icing is of spreading consistency.
Ice the cake and sprinkle chopped pecans over the top layer if desired.
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