nnecessary to add any flour until all the eggs had been beaten
in, that is, if the batter had not curdled. Before turning out a cake
allow it to remain in the tin for a few minutes. It is best to lay it
on a wire cake stand, or lay it on a sieve; but if you do not possess
these, a loosely made basket turned upside down will do. If the cake
will not turn out of the tin easily, rest it on its side, turning it
round in a couple of minutes and it may loosen, if not, pass a knife
round the edge, turn the cake over on a clean cloth, and let it stand
a few minutes.

Do not place cakes in a cold place or at an open window, or the steam
will condense and make them heavy. A rich cake improves in flavor and
becomes softer with keeping (from 2 to 6 weeks, according to quality)
before cutting. Wrap, when cold, first in a clean towel, then in
paper. After a week remove the paper and put the cake into a tin
wrapped in the towel. Small cakes may be baked in tiny molds or tins,
or baked in a flat sheet, and then cut out into squares, diamonds or
rounds. Then they can be frosted or coated with cream and decorated
with cherries or other crystallized fruits. If a real distinction is
desired, they may be placed in tiny crinkled paper cases, bought by
the hundred at a trifling cost.

Cake tins should be greased with Crisco and dredged with flour, the
superfluous flour shaken out, or they can be fitted with paper which
has been greased with Crisco. When creaming Crisco and sugar, do not
grudge hard work; at this stage of manufacture the tendency is to give
insufficient work, with the result that the lightness of the cake is
impaired.

Apple Sauce Fruit Cake without Milk

1 cupful brown sugar
1-1/2 cupfuls apple sauce
2-1/2 cupfuls flour
1/2 cupful Crisco
1 lb. raisins
1 teaspoonful powdered cloves
1 teaspoonful powdered cinnamon
1 teaspoonful grated nutmeg
2 teaspoonfuls baking soda
1/2 teaspoonful salt
3 tablespoonfuls vinegar

Cream Crisco and sugar thoroughly together, add apple sauce, flour,
raisins, spices, salt, and soda mixed with vinegar. Mix and pour into
greased and floured cake tin and bake in moderate oven one and a half
hours.

Sufficient for one cake.

Black Cake with Prune Filling

1-1/2 cupfuls sugar
1/2 teaspoonful salt
3 eggs
1/2 cupful Crisco
1 cupful milk
1/2 teaspoonful baking soda
2 cupfuls flour
1 teaspoonful baking powder
1/2 teaspoonful vanilla ext