Sheet Cake (Kentucky Funeral Cake)

Kentucky Funeral Cake was one of these “comfort foods” to help feed families in Appalachia during times of mourning. During the mourning rituals, the neighboring women would be preparing food to be brought to the home of the deceased. This practice is still done today in many Appalachian communities. The food was to help feed the family and all of the visitors that would be in the home during the period of mourning. The term “comfort food” may have roots in this custom as the foods were to help comfort the family during their time of need.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2⅔ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C/180°C fan, Gas Mark 6). Butter and flour a 9" springform pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a bowl cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and beat thoroughly. Fold in the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Stir in vanilla.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and bake for 60-70 minutes longer, until the cake is brown and a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then unmold and continue cooling.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information:
492 calories; 26 grams fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 60 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 51 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 157 milligrams cholesterol; 479 milligrams sodium