Nana's Recipes Poppy Seed Cake with Filling

(Recipe recorded by Nell Farrar White 1960's Attributed to Mona Harper)

Hand written, vintage recipes are wonderful. I love the extra notation, so we don't forget who shared this recipe with Nell. I'm sure there were many ladies getting together, sharing a slice of cake and a cup of hot tea. It's a time capsule into a lovely past.

Poppy Seed Cake

1/2 cup poppy seed

2 3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup shortening

4 eggs (separate the yolks and whites)

2 Tb cornstarch

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 cup flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup pecans

Soak poppy seeds in 3/4 cup milk for 2 hours. Cream shortening and sugar. Add Flour, Baking Powder and beat well. Fold in beaten egg whites and vanilla. Bake in layer cake pans - 350º oven.

Filling

Use the 4 egg yolks

             1 cup sugar

             2 Tb Cornstarch

             2 cups milk

             pinch of salt

Cook until thick, add nuts. Cool and beat until creamy, spread between cake loafs.