Key Ingredients: America by Food is a Smithsonian exhibition exploring the connections between Americans and the foods they produce, prepare, and present at the table. The Georgia tour of Key Ingredients is a project of the Georgia Humanities Council. The tour stops at 12 locations. Find a location near you!Featured Recipe Mother's Walnut Cake (from Vernell Roberts of Tifton)

1/2 c. butter       2 tsp baking soda

1/2 c. shortening  1/2 tsp salt

2 c. sugar           1.5 cup buttermilk

4 eggs            2 tsp vanilla extract

3.5 c. flour      1/3 c. fine chopped walnuts

 

Frosting:

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened  

5 to 5.5 c. confectioners's sugar

1 (3 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened    

1.5 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 c. butter or margarine, softened

1/3 c. finely chopped walnuts

 

Cream butter, shortening, and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Combine on low speed flour, baking soda, and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in the walnuts. Pour in three greased and floured 9 x 1/2 inch round cake pans. Bake at 350-degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; remove from pans to a wire rack to cool completely. For frosting: beat cream cheese and butter in mixing bowl. Add sugar; mix well. Add vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Store in the refrigerator.

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