Jelly for filling should be beaten till smooth, then spread between the layers before they are quite cool. In using dessicated cocoanut, first moisten it with a little sweet cream.
Citron used in cake should be cut into fine strips. Currants and raisins should be looked over, washed, dried, and then be well floured before being added to the cake, as they absorb moisture and tend to make the cake heavy. Rich cake should be avoided. Sponge cake may be considered the most healthful.
To make sponge cake, beat the yolks till thick and light-colored, then beat in the sugar, add lemon-juice, or other liquid and flavoring to be used. Then add the stiffly beaten whites, sift in the flour over them, and fold all in together without stirring or beating. Beating sponge cake after adding the flour makes it firm and tough, as also does the addition of too much flour. Sponge cake should be put together lightly and quickly, and baked at once.
SPONGE CAKE
Beat the yolks of three eggs; then gradually add one cupful of granulated sugar, one tablespoonful each of cold water and lemon-juice. Add the beaten whites and one cupful of flour, following general directions for making sponge cake as given above.
LEMON SPONGE CAKE
Take four eggs, one cup of sugar, one tablespoonful of lemon-juice, with a little of the grated rind, and one cupful of flour. Beat the yolks of the eggs to a foam, then beat in the sugar, adding a little at a time; then add the lemon-juice and grated rind; beat the whites of the eggs until very stiff, then lightly fold and chop them into the mixture. Slowly sift in the flour, carefully working it in. Do not beat after the flour has been added. Bake in two layers, and put together with fruit jelly or lemon honey. See [page 40].
SPONGE LOAF CAKE
Break ten eggs into a large bowl, add two large cupfuls of granulated sugar, and beat together for half an hour without pausing. Then add one cupful of sifted flour, the juice and grated rind of one lemon, and one-fourth cup of cold water. Turn into deep pans, sprinkle the top lightly with powdered sugar, and bake about an hour in a moderate oven.