Orange Kiss-Me Cake

This coffee cake-ish retro recipe I found in both Mom & Grandma's recipe boxes.  When I researched the recipe, a very similar recipe came up and was the 1950 Pillsbury Bake-off Winner. ( I think that is pretty cool.)  I can totally picture my Grandma making this in her little kitchen in Sunnyslope in the late 50's.  It is a super easy recipe, and we loved it!  The cake is super moist and would be great for breakfast or brunch.  We aren't big raisin fans, so I left those out. 

Orange Kiss-Me Cake

3/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 milk
2 eggs
1 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 13x9 pan. Combine 1/2 cup of the OJ concentrate with remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend at the lowest speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed for 3 minutes. Pour into pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Drizzle remaining OJ concentrate over warm cake; sprinkle with topping. (below)

Sugar-Nut Topping-
Combine in a small bowl. 
     1/4 cup sugar
     1/4 cup chopped walnuts
     1 teaspoon cinnamon

Callie's Favorite Sugar Cookies

This is our all time favorite recipe for cut-out cookies.  Mom and I tried several through the years, and by far this is my favorite. The dough is pretty forgiving, and the baked cookies freeze beautifully for decorating later.  (This is what I did at Christmas for Emily's Gingerbread Party. Huge time-saver!)   I prefer a buttercream recipe flavored with almond extract.  It just makes them different enough for people to stop and think... "Hmmm, What is this?" But you could even used canned frosting.  Mom and I made these ever since I was little, and now Emily helps me mix, cut and sprinkle.  (HER specialty!) Mom would be so proud. 


Sugar Cookies
Combine:
     3/4 cup shortening
     3/4 cup of butter or margarine (I use unsalted butter.)
     2 cups of sugar
Add:
    4 eggs
    1 teaspoon of flavoring  (I prefer almond, but you can use vanilla or lemon, too)
  
Add and mix in:
     5 cups flour
     2 teaspoons salt
     2 teaspoons baking powder

Chill for 3-4 hours or overnight.  I usually place it in a ziplock bag and throw it in the fridge.

When chilled, roll and cut cookies on a floured suface.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes, just until they start to barely get brown on the edges.  Let sit on pan for 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack.  Cool completely then decorate or freeze in freezer bags.

Yummy!