Mama katie's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe 7/29/2013 5:12:39 PM
This recipe for Lemon Pound Cake was the inspiration for me as I, Julius Thompson, was writing Ghost of Atlanta. Please try this recipe and then have a slice with a cup of coffee as you read Ghost of Atlanta... This recipe for Lemon Pound Cake was the inspiration for me as I was writing Ghost of Atlanta. Please try this recipe and then have a slice with a cup of coffee as you read Ghost of Atlanta.
From the early chapters of Ghost of Atlanta: When Andy and Grandmother Martha were baking this lemon pound cake together, it created a bond that lasted a lifetime. More importantly, this is a loving memory that sustains Andy over the years as he faces many trials in his life.
Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake!
1 ounce lemon extract (only). Real lemons were expensive back then, but thanks to Mr. Watkins, who made extract in every flavor, this was a fantastic substitute.
2 cups butter : 4 sticks (key ingredient, remember there was no margarine back then).
3 cups Sugar
3 1/2 cups flour (All-purpose): flour divided
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Power
6 eggs (remember, in a separate bowl crack and sniff, just to be sure they're fresh)
Pre-heat oven: 275 degrees
Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy.
In a separate bowl, sift 3 cups flour (Well today we don't have to sift, but you can) and baking powder.
Add eggs to butter/sugar mixture (one at a time) and then add lemon extract, alternating with flour mixture (You are going to think you need liquid, but you don't. It's supposed to be somewhat stiff)
Lightly butter cake pan, then use remaining flour to flour sides and flute.
Pour batter into pan and gently shake to even out.
Bake for 2-hours and 30 minutes or 2-hours and 45 minutes, depending on your oven. (With all our modern technology, our grandparents still managed to bake a two and a half hour cake in an hour and a half.)
Cake is done when toothpick (inserted into center) comes out clean.
Cool and remove carefully from pan.
It serves about fifteen people.
This recipe has been in our family since my Mama Katie was a little girl!
I edited Ghost of Atlanta for Julius and I thought I'd pass this along to our baking friends (with his permission of course).
