West Virginia Jam Cake Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED JAM CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine raisins and pineapple; let stand for at least 30 minutes. , In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with jam and buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Stir in raisin mixture and nuts. , Spread into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For icing, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in sugar and milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; cool until just warm. Pour into a large bowl; beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve a spreading consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.

JAM CAKE

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• Sift dry ingredients together.
• Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk.
• Stir in vanilla.
• Fold jam (or preserves) into cake mixture.
• Turn into well-greased tube (angel food) or bundt pan.
• Bake at 300 deg F for 15 minutes, then raise heat to 350 deg F and bake 45 minutes.
• Let cool 15 minutes.
• Sift powdered sugar over it while still warm.

BUTTERMILK-STRAWBERRY JAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour three 8- or 9-inch cake pans. Have all the ingredients at room temperature before you begin.
• Cream the sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes (see Know-how, page 315). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a separate bowl and stir to mix.
• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in thirds, alternating with the buttermilk and beginning and ending with the flour mixture, stopping to scrape down the bowl several times and stirring just until all is incorporated. Do not overmix. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the edges of the pans before turning the cakes out onto baking racks to cool completely before frosting.
• Do not start the frosting until the cakes are completely cooled. Place the cream in a large bowl and beat to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Add the Buttermilk Crème Fraîche and sugar and continue to whip until the mixture forms stiff peaks.
• Once the cakes have cooled completely, use a long serrated knife to slice off the rounded top portion of each cake to make a flat, even surface. Discard the trimmings.
• Place one layer, cut side down, on a large plate or cake stand and spread evenly with a third of the jam. Top with a third of the frosting and spread evenly. Repeat with the second and third layers. Arrange the strawberries on top, slice, and serve.
• If not serving within 2 hours, store in the refrigerator; then remove the cake about 1 hour before serving and let come to room temperature.
• Combine the heavy cream, buttermilk, and sour cream in a pint glass jar. Screw the lid on the jar and shake to mix. Let sit in a cool, dark place for 2 days before refrigerating; the mixture will become thick. Crème fraîche will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.

OLD-FASHIONED STRAWBERRY JAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
• Mix sugar, pecans, strawberry jam, butter, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl. Mix baking soda into buttermilk; add to the batter. Add flour a little at a time, mixing well, until combined.
• Pour batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• While cakes cool, beat sugar and butter for filling together in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add heavy cream, raisins, and pecans. Transfer to a pot and bring to a boil. Do not stir once syrup begins to boil. Heat to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water and placed on a flat surface.
• Spread between and over the top of the cooled cake layers, letting excess drip down the sides.