Potato Cake

Have any leftover mashed potatoes?

From a notebook originally from somewhere in the general area of Sterling, Colorado from the 1930s.

This recipe is from the 36th page of the notebook; here’s the page in full (click to enlarge).

Click to expand a longer explanation...
In the words of the seller:
I acquired this book from the great granddaughter of the woman who wrote this book back in a small Nebraska town in the 30’s. She belonged to that generation of rural housewives who worked tirelessly to make ends meet and “keep body and soul together” for their families working the farms.

Later addendum:

[A]fter a conversation I had with a friend’s sister who used to live in North Eastern Colorado, given the type of recipes listed we decided it might be from a small town there, i.e., Sterling or Fort Morgan. Also North Platte or Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Even Cheyenne, Wyoming. If you Google a map of Sterling, Colorado and pull back, you will see all these little towns in that tri-state area.


Potato Cake

1 c. butter or lard
2 c. sugar
4 egg yolks [but reserve whites, you fold them in later]
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. cold mashed spuds
1/2 c. water
1 c. nuts
1 c. raisins
1/2 c. melted chocolate or 1/2 c. cocoa
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream yolks, sugar, lard and all ingredients. Lastly, whipped egg whites of four eggs.

Good. From Matilda.



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