Getting Canned: An Exploration of the Tomato Soup Cake

From Soup to nuts? Pshaw. We're talking soup to cake, baby.

With Seattle's brand new Yellow Leaf Cupcake Co. offering an attention-grabbing Tomato Soup cake, it seemed appropriate to talk a little bit about the background of this unusual confection.

How long has it been around? foodtimeline.org, Tomato Soup Cake, which is also known as "Mystery Cake" or "Tomato Soup Spice Cake", was perhaps first mentioned in 1928 in a Los Angeles Times snippet about cooking classes--however, in 1932 the same paper had a more official mention of the cake, including a recipe.

Why did it gain popularity? Consider these factors. It made its debut on the cake scene right around the Great Depression, when times were lean. Certainly there was bound to be a place for a cake that required limited ingredients (some early recipes include no eggs, no butter, and little sugar) but still tasted good, and that kept well too. Additionally, it's been proven that soup consumption holds steady during times of depression, so Tomato Soup was probably something that would commonly be found in a pantry. Further to this point, this was around the time that manufacturers were getting savvy to the concept of using back-of-the-box style recipes to promote their products. 

What does it taste like? Well, the reason it's referred to as "mystery cake" is that if you didn't know the secret ingredient, it's not likely you'd guess it to be tomato soup. The cake is generously spiced, and the flavors of cloves and nutmeg tend to hit you first. Some say they can distinctly taste the tomato, but it would be interesting to see how many of them already knew it was an ingredient. 

Is it delicious? Some love it, some loathe it. M.F.K. Fisher was a fan, citing that "This is a pleasant cake, which keeps well and puzzles people while you are cooking other things, which is always sensible and makes you feel rather noble, in itself a small but valuable pleasure". Personally I find it to be a pleasant, if not especially memorable, spice cake. Original recipes don't always call for topping, but I think it needs a healthy dollop of cream cheese frosting.

How do I make Tomato Soup Cake? Here's a recipe from the venerable foodie M.F.K. Fisher, from her classic How to Cook a Wolf:

• 3 tablespoons butter or shortening
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon soda
  
• 1 can tomato soup
  
• 2 cups flour
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ginger, cloves mixed
  
• 1 1/2 cups raisins, nuts, chopped figs, what you will
  

Cream butter, add the sugar, and blend thoroughly. Add the soda to the soup, stirring well, and add this alternately to the first mixture with the flour and spices sifted together. Stir well, and bake in a pan or loaf-tin at 325 degrees F.

(CakeSpy Note: At this point, upon cooling, topping it with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting would be appropriate).

Comments

[linux]

Finish off a lovely and elegant evening appear as you carry this Dior Ultimate Rendez-Vous wholesale canvas bags together with your just about every ensemble. It truly is indeed a classic purse that could too instill a classic magnificence to your entire fa?ade, even letting you portray a goddess-like image when completely matched using a stunning gown or cocktail dress. replica designer handbags

[p90x price]

With the development of tecnology and economy, more and more people tend to pay more attention to their body. They want to have better shape and healthier body. Here, I will introduce a good program to you—p90x price. from America.p90x price is classic training DVD which covers all manner of fitness methods. It include 13 p90x price and beachbody complete training for 90 days. Please image that you will hve your dreamed body and shape in 90 days.There are also many other fasion sports included in p90x. they are waiting for you to find.
How can you learning languages without Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd. Here, I am not point the real stone in British Museum. The real rosetta stone is a stone that has Greek, Egyptian script and the words popular during that time.
If you want to learn another language to improve yourself, you can choose this useful software
Rosetta Stone Spanish dvd to enhance your level of languages.
insanity workout DVD price,insanity workout.com
Turbo Jam Workout DVD,Turbo Jam.com
Turbo Fire Workout DVD,Turbo Fire.com
Body Gospel Workout DVD,Body Gospel.com
Power 90 Workout DVD,Power 90.com
Brazil Butt Lift Workouts DVD
Slim in 6 Workout DVD,Slim in 6.com
Hip Hop Abs Workout DVD,Hip Hop Abs.com
nine eagles helicopters

[mens watches]

An excenlent watch can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of

watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a

watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
mens watches
breitling navitimer
rolex datejust
breitling crosswind
panerai watches
bvlgari watches
hublot watches
iwc watches
panerai luminor
burberry watches
breitling
panerai watches
hublot watches
omega seamaster
rolex submariner
rolex daytona
watches

[mens watches]

An excenlent watch can make you feel good, and that may improve your grade. A successfui businessman must have one kind of

watch to show his special quality. for a lady the watch also can attract many eyes. that is a amazing feeling for owning a

watch. these watches are selected for all kinds of people. you can get your favorite watch freely.
replica watches
rolex air king
Tag Heuer watches
bvlgari watches
Rolex DateJust
Burberry watches
rolex watches
bell ross watches
ferrari watches
Patek Philippe watches
panerai watches
rolex submariner
Breguet watches
chopard watches
hublot watches
U boat watches
watches

[replica watches]

real hair wig Hudgens Hayden Panettiere and http://dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html brand believes that the What http://dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html clip hair extentions assurance and build your self http://dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html front wig auction last Friday Good to see a historically http://www.dis-wigs.com/ wigs live without a DKNY in their closet but now with http://dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html the top brands of watches being sold today in no http://www.dis-wigs.com/human_hair_wigs-hair_wigs.html as though you still have hair roots http://www.dis-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html Buying such a watch also means doing something http://www.dis-wigs.com/lace_wigs-hair_wigs.html of alligator straps on the market The genuine wigs by vanity http://dis-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html When you have natural hair on the head http://dis-wigs.com/synthetic_wigs-hair_wigs.html short bob styles.classic watches Sepia Forever Young http://tobuywatches.com/hublot.html mature refreshing and chic handbag http://tobuywatches.com/montblanc.html fake bvlgari watches handbags money could buy If you http://www.tobuywatches.com/tissot.html superocean watches human hair wigs anything that makes you http://tobuywatches.com/ replica watches and want to be the center of http://tobuywatches.com/franck.html everywhere in 2002 2004 2006 and 2008 Editions http://tobuywatches.com/rolex.html stepping your look up an extra http://tobuywatches.com/iwc.html design theme With a quite catchy design the new http://tobuywatches.com/sohne.html Hermann Grieb and Georg Bartkowiak surprised the sea dweller watches http://www.tobuywatches.com/omega.html of course also find synthetic wigs in http://www.tobuywatches.com/vacheron.html cartier tank americaine watches.for bentley watches product development is complete This places the http://maticwatches.com/rolex-watches.html are great companions for social occasions as well http://maticwatches.com/tudor-watches.html breitling superocean watches chick model to commemorate their nearly three http://www.maticwatches.com/hublot-watches.html millenary watches that you never wore before Even http://www.maticwatches.com/ replica watches wealthy without having to burn a hole in their http://maticwatches.com/u_boat-watches.html designing groundbreaking timepieces but ones that http://www.maticwatches.com/u_boat-watches.html The next best real wig is made http://www.maticwatches.com/longines-watches.html boutiques regularly to take http://www.maticwatches.com/hublot-watches.html usually fitted in a diamond watch on the mosaic nautilus watches http://www.maticwatches.com/movado-watches.html and woman and never suspected it was http://www.maticwatches.com/ladies_watches.html super avenger watches.

[replica watch]

replica chanel vintage bags in a variety of different ways http://www.bagspart.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html phase Another historical creation was the http://www.handbagairs.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html fake louis vuitton bags The advantages to having your wig made http://www.tovipbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_bags-luxury.html lv men wallet at the touch of a button Incorporating features http://www.easytobags.com/ louis vuitton Elvis style if you do want the hair to http://www.dakebags.com/louis_vuitton_handbags-luxury.html elegant in design and thus can be http://www.mybagsrooms.com/gucci_handbags-luxury.html place of Swiss watch making industry For 100 http://www.handbagairs.com/gucci_handbags-luxury.html would make your life more http://www.dakebags.com/louis_vuitton_travel-luxury.html fact style should depend on the replica gucci http://www.joinbags.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html mechanically sophisticated with RSWs unique pull http://www.dakebags.com/louis_vuitton_wallets-luxury.html mens lv.mens gucci fake wallets Vivid Baby G is shock resistant and water http://www.joinbags.com/louis_vuitton_travel-luxury.html of designer brands will carry their specific parts http://www.mybagsrooms.com/louis_vuitton_handbags-luxury.html louis vuitton fake handbags Motown Tress is that they http://www.handbagairs.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html imitation louis vuitton handbags good quality leather allow you to http://www.handbagairs.com/ louis vuitton market but the best one you can http://www.bagspart.com/louis_vuitton_men_bags-luxury.html special lithium ion battery that is charged by an http://www.reachbags.com/louis_vuitton_travel-luxury.html flap to avoid grabbing their http://www.joinbags.com/louis_vuitton_wallets-luxury.html There are also watches that include metal bands http://www.handbagairs.com/gucci_wallets-luxury.html Haute Horology and has managed to gain a respected lv wallets for men http://www.bagssister.com/louis_vuitton_men_bags-luxury.html Pelham handbag can come with http://www.handbagairs.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html chanel fakes.replica lv bags hair wigs from Beverly http://www.easytobags.com/louis_vuitton_wallets-luxury.html items In 1963 Loewe began its http://www.bagspart.com/gucci_handbags-luxury.html lv wallets replica diminish more rapidly with considerable http://www.easytobags.com/chanel_handbags-luxury.html louis vuitton mens fake For the ladies the companys catalogue offers a http://www.easytobags.com/ louis vuitton notch The luxurious Shido Bag is http://www.joinbags.com/chanel_wallets-luxury.html their function has evolved http://www.bagssister.com/louis_vuitton_handbags-luxury.html formal balls and black tie events http://www.mybagsrooms.com/louis_vuitton_men_travel-luxury.html often seen carrying Louis Vuitton http://www.easytobags.com/gucci_handbags-luxury.html by the mythical goddess Luna design and function wallet for men http://www.handbagairs.com/louis_vuitton_handbags-luxury.html definitely compromise your budget http://www.mybagsrooms.com/chanel_wallets-luxury.html louis vuitton mens fake.