Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe from Julius Thompson's "Ghost of Atlanta"

  

      In my National Gold Medal award winning novel, Ghost of Atlanta, the making of a  lemon pound cake played a crucial inspiration for the characters in the opening chapters of the novel. Since the book's publishing,  I've received numerous requests for the recipe for the lemon pound cake, which comes from my grandmother, Mama Katie, and her famous pound cake.   

       I remember many a day walking into her home in Winder, Georgia, after attending Glenwood High School, and smiling and sniffing that wonderful aroma from the Lemon Pound cake baking in the wood stove oven.

       Mmm...Good!!!!

      Below is the recipe and I hope you enjoy the lemon pound cake with a cup of coffee, while reading Ghost of Atlanta on your ebook reader or a print edition of the novel.

                                                               God Bless,

                                                               J. E. Thompson

 

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     From the Early Chapters of Ghost of Atlanta : When Andy and Grandmother Martha were cooking this lemon pound cake together, it created a bond that lasted a lifetime. More importantly a loving memory that sustains Andy over the years as he faces many trails in his life.

      

 Mama Katie's Lemon Pound Cake! 

     1 (1.5 ounce) bottle lemon extract (only) Real lemons in those days were expensive, but thanks to Mr. Watkins, who made extract in every flavor, this was a fantastic substitute.

     2 cups butter 4 sticks (key ingredient, remember no margarine back then).

     3 cups sugar

     3 1/2 cups flour  (All-purpose): flour divided

       1 1/2 teaspoons  Baking Power

     6 eggs (remember, in a separate bowl crack and sniff, just to be sure they're fresh)

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1. Pre-heat oven: 275
2. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, sift 3 cups flour (Well today we don't have to sift, but you can) and baking powder.
4. Add eggs to butter/sugar mixture (one at a time) and then add lemon extract, alternating with flour mixture ( You going to think you need liquid, but  you don't. It's supposed to be somewhat stiff)
5. Lightly butter cake pan, then use remaining flour to  flour sides and flute.
6. Pour batter into pan and gently shake to even out.
7. Bake for 2-hours and 30 minutes or 2-hours and 45 minutes, depending on your oven. (With all our modern technology, our grandparents still managed to bake a two and a half cake in an hour and half.)
8. Cake is done when toothpick (inserted into center) comes out clean.
9. Cool and remove carefully from pan.
10. It serves about fifteen slices.

This recipe has been in our family since my Mama Katie was a little girl!

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Links:

 

Click Here to read the July 20, 2012 Book Talk post on Ghost of Atlanta.

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"On Grace" by Susie Orman Schnall

Available on Amazon and Kindle

 

 

About the Book:

 

Grace May is about to turn 40, and she can’t wait. Now that her boys are both in school and she’s about to start an exciting new writing job, the next chapter in her life is finally about to begin. Aching to use her brain for more than finding innovative ways to sneak leafy greens into her boys’ mini-meatloaves, Grace is eager to rediscover the intelligent and interesting woman deeply buried under the layers of mother and wife. 

But when Grace loses her job and gets unexpected news from her husband and her best friend, life suddenly gets complicated. Grace stands to lose everything: her marriage, her best friend, and her sense of self. By her 40th birthday party, Grace will discover who and what matter most. With laughter. With tears. With grace. 

Readers love On Grace because it's soulful and sweet, sexy and sad, straight up and smart, and, ultimately, quite satisfying. 

 

Publication Date: June 19, 2013

 

 

About the Author:

 

 

Susie Orman Schnall

 

Susie Orman Schnall lives in New York and is the author of the enchanting, thought-provoking novel On Grace. She also writes essays, editorial, and endless to-do lists and has been featured in the New York Times,   Westchester Magazine, and on Huffington Post Live. When she's not at her desk writing, you can find Susie driving her three young boys to and fro, reading just about anything, drinking a kale shake, hanging with her husband of 18 years, or trying to get It All done. And if you can't find her in any of those places, she's probably where her heart sings the loudest: at the top of a mountain.

 

Visit the author's website and read more about her life and writing!

 

 

A Word From Susie:

 

I'm so excited about the publication of my debut novel On Grace. And I'm absolutely thrilled with the response I've heard from readers so far. I never would have imagined how much Grace's story has touched so many women. They are responding to the authenticity of the story and how relatable it is to their lives and the lives of their friends. I truly hope you enjoy it!

 

 

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From Amazon Reader Reviews:

 

 

 

Don't miss out on this great read!!

 

Realistic and Relatable. I Definitely Recommend!

 

Couldn't put this book down!