Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Southern Living and a salute to cakes

You probably don't have to live in the South to have heard of our beloved Southern Living magazine. This is a must-read for southern women, and though I didn't grow up reading it, I learned early in my career that I *needed* to be reading it. I remember being at a local gathering where one society-ish lady served a wonderful chocolate dip as a dessert. When I complimented it, she said, "Oh, it's in the new Southern Living. Have you got yours yet?" I knew immediately that I needed to start reading it—and I'm glad I did. This is the anniversary issue cover sent to subscribers …

And inside are two more covers. The one on the right is actually my favorite of the three, but I think they were wise to, according to a note inside this issue, select the one with the cake for the issue sold on newsstands. For Southern Living is known for its cake recipes, including what is lovingly referred to as The Big White Cake on the cover at Christmas.

So it's more than a little fitting that this gigantic 50th anniversary issue includes a tribute to southern cakes, and that's what I wanted to talk about today. I love cakes. I love how cakes show up at all kinds of celebrations (including teatime!) and make an occasion special. My favorite cake in the world, and the one I request for my birthday each year, is my Daddy's coconut cake. He recently sent me home with a nice big chunk of coconut cake he'd had left over from Christmas and frozen. It was just as good as ever, especially when a slice was served alongside a nice hot cup of tea. Southern Living has updated five classic southern cake recipes of its own, and they are: Coconut Chiffon Cake, Red Velvet Cake, Lane Cake (the liquor- and fruit-filled cake famously mentioned in "To Kill a Mockingbird"), Jam Cake, and Lemon Cheese Layer Cake. You can bet I'll be making one of these soon, and I'm pretty sure it will be the Coconut Chiffon Cake. I'd love to know if southerners agree with these selections. (Personally, I'd have included a Hummingbird Cake and a Caramel Cake.) For those of you who live in another region of the country, is there a special type of cake you love that's not on the Southern Living list?

11 comments:

  1. My mother's favorite cake to make was the Hummingbird Cake. I never thought to ask her where she got the recipe, but I am sure it was from Southern Living Magazine. When my 50th Anniversary issue arrived this week, it occurred to me my mother and Aunt Mary must have started subscribing in the early years of the publication. I continue the family tradition of having Southern Living delivered to my home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My grandmother always made a lemon cheese cake at Christmas and I never ate it. I could kick myself. Also, the "chocolate cake" she made was a yellow cake with chocolate icing and the actual chocolate cake was called "Devil's Food cake" and it had white icing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I,m actually a fan of a chocolate sheet cake with chocolate icing - my mother's recipe, similar to a Texas sheet cake. But that Lemon cheese layer cake sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favorite...caramel. I love the recipe you posted about a year ago. I believe it was from The Collected Tabletop. I may not have the name right, but I love that recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I grew up with red velvet cake. I am glad it has become so popular today. My grandmother from Tennessee made a yellow cake with cooked fudge icing. I think of her everytime I have it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm a northern gal who loves lemon cake with a lemon filling between the layers and coconut icing, served cold from the frig. I also like chocolate cake with three cream "mounds" on top, covered with chocolate frosting. Both are yummy! I think I've blogged about both of them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My mother's all-time favorite cake was the Lane Cake which I would make for her birthday every year. Now I usually make a miniature Lane Cake (think cupcake) and serve it during our holiday teas as a tribute to my mother.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I did get Southern Living for awhile, but with too many magazines coming to my house I no longer get it. It is a good magazine though. Yumm! Cakes! I have made the Hummingbird Cake in the past and it is so good. My preference though for cake is a simple cake like yogurt or olive oil cake with fresh berries on top.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I dropped my subscription to southern Living as I am a magazine hoarder, and like to keep my issues. I will definitely be looking for this issue on the news stand, I know it will be a keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I agree with you about including hummingbird. And also a chocolate of some sort.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Angela, please give us the hummingbird cake recipe. I have never heard of that. Now I am hungry and must have a tea also. Blessings, Nancy Carr

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment! It makes my day to hear from readers!