Aunt Chris' Jam Cake

From Clarksville, TN

Ingredients:

1 cup butter 1 teaspoon cloves

2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup buttermilk 2 cups blackberry jam

5 eggs (separate & beat separately) 1 cup nuts (chopped fine – any type)

1 tablespoon soda (put in milk) 1 cup raisins

4 cups flour 1 cup peach or pear preserves

1 teaspoon allspice 1 cup figs or dates (chopped fine)

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar together. Add spices, nuts, preserves and egg yolks. Stir well. Add flour, and buttermilk with soda. Beat in milk, and then add beaten egg whites. Stir thoroughly. Cook at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes if a Bundt pan is used. If cooked in layers, test with toothpick.

Ice when cool with Caramel Icing (below).

Caramel Icing for Jam Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups sugar

1 cup cream

Pinch of soda

½ cup cold water in sugar

2 level tablespoons flour

Directions:

Mix together and boil. Add ½ cup sugar, browned. Add browned sugar and cook until soft ball. Add 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla; also a pinch of salt.

Aunt Chris was one of 9 children and absolutely the family matriarch, although she was not the oldest. We all loved spending time around her kitchen table (and enjoying her wonderful food too!). The "we" includes family, friends, neighbors, members of the local church, friends of friends passing through town. They lived on a 50 acre farm and the door was never locked. She was a wonderful and generous woman and hostess and I am very proud to share one of her favorite recipes with you.

Submitted by Laurene