I have a friend and we like to talk about food a lot. He shared a website with me today that lists a lot of food that Presidents used to eat. One of the things was a cake that President Lincoln liked a lot. I figured it was apropos since it was his birthday today. It turned out pretty good. Really sweet. The cool part is to think that President Lincoln could have been eating something like unto this when he was alive.
1. One begins by 'burning' the sugar. Melt 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy iron skillet. Heat slowly, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until the sugar becomes a very dark brown.
2. Then add 1/2 cup hot water and stir until sugar dissolves. This is the caramelized sugar you will use in the cake.
3. Now beat 3 egg whites until very stiff, adding to them a little ast a time 1/2 cup white sugar. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter with 1/2 cup white sugar.
5. Add 2 teaspoons baking powder to 1 1/2 cups cake flour, along with a dash of salt. Sift together then add to the butter-sugar mixture, alternating with the caramelized sugar syrup--first a little flour, then a little syrup, until all have been used. Fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites.
6. Put in a greased pan and bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
7. For the icing, Melt 1/2 cup butter in a heavy saucepan. Add 1 cup dark brown sugar and cook over low heat for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
8. Remove from the heat, add 1/3 cup milk and bring to a boil again.
9. Cool to lukewarm and stir in gradually 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat vigorously until mixture is smooth.
10. Top cake with frosting and Enjoy!
