Vintage Lemon Cake Roll & Some Homemade Lemonade....

After a gloomy start to the week, our Summer days came back with a heat wave. Boy is it a hot one. We are also continuing our Summertime 1940's lessons. One thing we have been enjoying is reading some books on the subject. We went to the Library and borrowed a whole stack on life in the 40's, Wartime and more. As you may or may not know.....I am a hands on kinda teacher. The best way we find to learn is doing things "Hands On". One of our favorite things to do is bake. We also need to bring a dessert over to our new friends home....So we had to find a recipe that was frugal yet delicious. And well....Since we are studying the 1940's, why not bake something that would have been made during that time.

We found the perfect recipe by a lady who grew up in the 40's....

The recipe was her mothers. She remembers her mom making it way back when. 

Perfect.... We had everything on hand too. Even better. Despite the heat,

 we turned on the oven to bake...Daring, I know.

Here is the recipe:

Vintage 1940's Lemon Cake Roll

Ingredients for spongecake:

3 eggs

1 C. sugar

3 Tbl. water

1 C. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

14 tsp. salt

Filling:

1 C. sugar

3 Tbl. all purpose flour

1 egg slightly beaten

3/4 C. water

1/4 C. lemon juice

Directions:

• Line a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar; beat for 2 minutes or until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Stir in water. Combine dry ingredients; fold into egg mixture. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
• Bake at 375° for 12-14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• For filling, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, flour, egg, water and lemon juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cool to room temperature.
• Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up again. Place seam side down on a serving platter. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 10-12 servings.

It turned out, not only gorgeous, but delicious. 

We made one as a taste tester for the family.

 ( it passed )

As another one will be made for our hosts this weekend.

 Freckles did an excellent job in the kitchen. I am so very proud of her. I truly believe baking with your child is a wonderful experience. And of course it helps to know how to make things, especially for a young girl who will, Lord willing be a Mama, caring for her family and making meals and baking goodies. It comes in handy.

We decided also, since it was a very hot afternoon and we have an abundance of huge lemons from the tree, we would make some good old fashioned lemonade. Surely this is also something people enjoyed for many years, even the 1940's. So, we made a little party out of it. Just me and Freckles.

There are many recipes you can find for making lemonade...Surely you can't go wrong with this timeless, refreshing beverage. I brought out some coordinated linens and dishes and used our Blue Ball Jars for our glasses. It was a special afternoon, in the heat, sipping on lemonade and nibbling on this sweet lemony dessert. It truly was the perfect Summer activity.

The best part was just being with my daughter. 

I pray one day she will look back and have fond memories

 of these times we spent together. I know I will forever cherish them. I would love to encourage you to have a day like we did with your kids...Kids of all ages can help out with baking and making lemonade. With just a little imagination, setting a table for you and your children for a special afternoon will make everlasting memories. So, get the lemons and the baking pan out add a little sugar and a whole lotta love. You won't regret it.

Jelly Rolls are and were popular all over the world. There are different names for them in each Country. I tried to find more of an origin and timeline...A jelly Roll was probably more of a European thing...I could not find a date as to how long ago they were being made...Yet, I am for certain they were popular in the 30's and 40's. You can make them in different flavors with different fillings. They are quite easy to make and will serve a crowd. I love how something so simple with little ingredients can please a bunch of people. You can find many recipes on line, 

just search for jelly roll recipes.

Have A Wonderful Weekend.