Saturday, June 26, 2010

1929 Double Boiler Orange Frosting

Never mind that this cupcake has a hump in the middle of it. Just squint your eyes and pretend it's not there. This post is all about the best orange frosting/glaze I ever put in my mouth. 

My brother Grant has a lady friend named Dakota, a true southern belle. I've never met Dakota as they have a long distance relationship, but I have seen him with her when they're on the phone together. His countenance immediately softens and and his eyes and smile brighten;  any hard edges of the day are immediately blunted the moment he hears her voice. I have female friends who make eyes at Grant and  they describe him as a manly man, a man's kind of man, (Really?  This is my brother they're talking about! To me, we are forever 5 and 10, and he will always be my baby brother.  When did he ever get to be a manly man?  Are we even talking about the same person.  I wonder.)  so when I see what sweetening effect that Dakota has on him, I am delighted.

Dakota, knowing that I absolutely love old fashioned cookbooks, surprised me with a gift.  She found a 1929 Lorain Cooking cookbook, published by the American Stove Company, St. Louis, Missouri.

As I thumbed through it, enjoying every recipe, even if only for its historical value (as I  hope we won't  be eating organ meats any time soon) this little recipe caught my eye because it's made with orange (one of my favorite flavors),  egg yolk, and is made in a double boiler. The ingredients are so simple, but the flavor is so good!

Even though the recipe is labeled a frosting,  to me, it's more of a gorgeous glaze or ganache because of the consistency and small amount if makes.  (I did not have enough to cover the dozen cupcakes I made.)  This would be perfect to glaze a bundt cake or a loaf cake or tea bread and this is certainly a recipe I will turn to again.  

Thank you, Dakota, this is a keeper!

Orange Frosting
 (Lorain Cooking cookbook, America Stove Company, St. Louis, MO, 1929)

1 tablespoon butter
1 egg yolk
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon orange juice**
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup confectioners' sugar

In the top of a double boiler,  put the butter.  Heat it over hot water until butter melts.  In a separate, small bowl, beat the egg yolk, add the salt, and fruit juices.  Stir into the melted butter. Continue to stir and cook until the mixture thickens. 

Remove from the flame and remove the top part of the double boiler from the lower part.  Add the sugar and mix it with the other ingredients.  Set aside until cool.**

**My thoughts on this...
I didn't have orange juice, but I did have a small amount of leftover orange juice concentrate in the freezer, which I used.  This made the  flavor was very orange-y, but I liked it.
**I don't have a double boiler and have no intention of purchasing one.  I use a heat-proof  Pyrex bowl and set it inside a sauce pan, the rim of the Pyrex bowl fitting over the rim of sauce pan.I make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl, heating the water to just simmering. Wear some potholders and exercise some care when removing the Pyrex bowl.
**When this is first cooked, it is quite runny, like a glaze, but it will harden and thicken somewhat as it cools. Because I would want this to be still somewhat pourable, I would use it while it was barely warm, giving it a good stir before pouring it my cake. 

22 comments:

  1. How thoughtful of her. This would be yummy on so many sweets. I think it would be perfect with sweet rolls too.

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  2. Dakota is such a sweet person. To me this book is precious ;)

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  3. Dakota makes your brother smile and warms your heart. She sounds like a very nice person. I didn't see a hump in the cupcake, I saw the frosting. Honest! I'm saving this so I can try it. I love orange flavor and citrus is just makes me happy. Thanks Katy for sharing yet another wonderful recipe with us.

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  4. Sounds wonderful; the recipe and Dakota. ;-)

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  5. Such a thoughtful gift. Can't wait to give this recipe a try.
    Mimi

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  6. I LOVE old recipes! This sounds so yummy. The hump gives it character :)

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  7. That is a really interesting recipe! When looking at it I am slightly reminded of the Hostess Orange Cupcakes. ;o)

    A very sweet gesture for Dakota to send you the book!

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  8. What do you mean...that is an awesome picture....yummers on the icing recipe too. What a great gift. I love that she sent that to you. It must hold a lot of treasures!

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  9. This looks amazing... "drool" Thanks for stopping by my lil blog. I grew up in Nashua.

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  10. That was very nice of her.

    I love this recipe. What a little treasure. I am definitely book marking this one Katie.

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  11. Katy, I'm going to try this because I can almost taste it from the photo--it looks so creamy and sweetly tangy. I'm happy you received such an awesome gift!

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  12. How exciting! this is one to book mark and try!

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  13. Loved that recipe. I can't wait to try it. Thanks.

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  14. I love the look of your cupcake;) The frosting does sound divine!!:)

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  15. That cupcake looks heavenly, Katy. I love orange too.
    What a treasure Dakota is.....it sounds like she makes his heart sing....and what a lovely gift she gave to you in that precious cookbook-I know you're enjoying every minute of reading it. What fun!

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  16. On my visit to a local used book store I spotted this cookbook setting on a shelf all by itself, it was calling out to me, take me home.Immediately, scratching my head I thought, I do know a good home for you.I am so thrilled that you liked the cookbook and have been able to find a yummy recipe to make.I know the book has found a good home and will be enjoyed.I enjoy your site and you always amaze me with your little stories and never ending yummy recipes.Great Job!!!!!!

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  17. Don't you just love old cookbooks?! The orange frosting looks and sounds delicious! I love anything orange or lemon. Looks like you've found two treasures -- the cookbook and Dakota!

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  18. Two winners in a row! This sounds almost as yummy as those muffins.

    Btw, whatever hump were you speaking of? :)
    ~ingrid

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  19. I love orange frosting - sadly, I'm the only one in my house who does! These look soooo good!!!

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