Olive's Banana Cake
Thankfully, lacks olives.
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Noma's Nutmeg Cake
Noma was one of my grandmother's best friends. I wish I could get to know her again now that I'm an adult, but she died years ago. I loved going to visit Noma in the summer, because her house was near a small lake, where they would take me swimming. Her house was wonderful, too. It was a glass and cedar contemporary ranch with a sunken living room and a wrap-around deck. The place was buried in thick woods and birds continuously fluttered around her feeders. Noma had short, white hair and wore funky outfits and made her own pottery. I think Noma was married, but I don't remember ever meeting her husband. She was probably much more interesting and complex than my 10-year-old brain could fathom.
Shortly before my Grandmother died she told me a story about how she and Noma first met. They were on some committee together, and my Grandmother didn't like her at all because she thought Noma was the kind of woman who didn't have other women as friends -- just men. Noma caught wind that my Grandmother didn't like her but wouldn't stand for it. She'd call my Grandmother every week and invite her out to lunch. Every week, my Grandmother would coolly reply that she was busy. Finally, Noma marched up to her door and insisted she go to lunch with her. My Grandmother said, "I can't. It's Tuesday. Tuesday is laundry day." Noma said, "Oh Mildred! The laundry will be here when you get back!" They went out to lunch and became fast friends. It just goes to show you, sometimes you have to work at the most rewarding friendships.
Mazola Oil Cake
Call me crazy, but I would not have chosen corn oil as the most enticing ingredient in this cake. I can only surmise that it's identified with Mazola Oil because it came from the label of a Mazola Oil bottle. "Why use old fashioned and inconvenient butter! Just grab a bottle of Mazola-brand corn oil and get to bakin'!"
Mashed Potato Chocolate Cake
Another "crazy ingredient" recipe. I don't think one cup of mashed potatoes would have too much of an effect on the flavor or texture, although it's certainly a creative use of leftovers. This must be another recipe from my Great Aunt Mary.
Tomato Soup Spice Cake
There are enough recipes in the box that fall under the category of "Normal items made with a surprising and/or disgusting ingredient" that I should probably make a separate section for them on the site. Here, we have a pedestrian boxed spice cake made with -- oh, you'll just never guess! -- tomato soup! Zingy! Or should I say, Souper!
$200 Red Devil's Food Cake
I just love this, because it's the older verison of the myth of the Neiman-Marcus $250 chocolate chip cookie. Clearly my Grandmother thought the $200 aspect of the cake was important enough to hand write on the card.
Both the cookie and cake myths are explained and debunked on Snopes. Here's the recipe right-side up so you don't get a crick in your neck.
Corn Pudding
A cup of butter and a cup of sour cream -- how can it possibly be bad?
Date Pinwheels
This recipe is woefully lacking in detail. After you make and refrigerate the dough, take it out of the fridge, divide into two portions, roll each into a rectangle about a 1/4 inch thick and 8 x 12 inches, spread it with the date mixture, roll it long ways like a jelly roll, wrap in wax paper, chill it again, and then slice it into pinwheels (about a 1/4 inch thick) and then bake it. Other similar recipes call for a 350° oven, so this seems a little hot.
Dream Kisses
To me, the name of this cookie evokes something made with Hershey's chocolate kisses (literal interpretation, I know), and maybe something with meringue. Instead we have a bar cookie with coconut and nuts, which seems wrong for the name. I'd call these cookies "tropical nut bars" and use pineapple jelly (do they make pineapple jelly?) and macadamia nuts.
Cinnamon Stars
What is star-like about these cookies? I suppose you could cut them into star shapes.
The red ink is quite festive, although apparently not water-resistant.
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