Thrifty Party Cakes with Baker's Coconut (circa 1940s)

Thrifty Cake into Party Cake
Easy with Baker's Coconut

Start with your pet economy cake - frost, then top with Baker's Coconut and you'll have a beauty every time.

4 Party Dresses for Budget Cakes:

Jolly Children's Party Cake: (top left): Frost 2-layer cake, then mark 9 squares on top with yellow tinted confectioner's sugar glaze (or you could use frosting in a tube).  Sprinkle with Baker's Coconut. On each squares, stand an animal cracker dipped in melted Baker's Dot Chocolate.

Sweetheart Cake for Shower or Valentine's Day: (top right).  Frost a pretty pink. Outline a heart on top with silver dragees. Dust heart with pink sugar, rest of cake with Baker's Coconut.

Festive Card Party Cakes (center). Frost 2 inch squares of cake in assorted colors. Sprinkle toasted Baker's Coconut on sides of white cakes, untoasted coconut on sides of tinted cakes. Outline hearts, clubs, etc. on top in contrasting shades of frosting.

Radiant Birthday Cake: (bottom).  Glamourize a white frosted layer cake with bands of white, pink and yellow tinted coconut. Top with candles.

To tint coconut, place in glass jar, filling half full. Dilute a small amount of food coloring and sprinkle over coconut. Cover jar and shake until coating is evenly distributed.

To toast coconut: spread thinly in shallow pan. Toast in moderate oven (350 degrees) until delicate brown, stirring often.

Fiesta Peach Shortcake (Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951)

Fiesta Peach Shortcake
Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951

Make 3 inch biscuits from your own recipe or packaged mix (adding a little extra shortening and sugar).  Split warm biscuits, put together shortcake style with peach slices and whipped cream between and on top. 

Variation:  Sliced pound cake or lady fingers from your grocer or bakery make wonderful peach and whipped cream shortcake.

Fiesta Peach Crown (Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951)

Fiesta Peach Crown
Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951

Make raspberry gelatin as directed on package. Add two tablespoons lemon juice. Cool until thick. Place swirl of drained canned cling peach slices  in 6 or 8 small round molds. Cover with gelatin. Chill until firm. Unmold. Serve with whipped cream. For Golden Fiesta Crown, use plain gelatin, following directions on package for lemon gelatin.

Fiesta Fan Peach Salad (Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951)

 
Fiesta Fan Peach Salad
Canned Cling Peaches from California Ad, circa 1951

Arrange canned cling peach slices in fan pattern on garnished salad plate. Place small lettuce cup at base of fan. Fill with mayonnaise or salad dressing. Garnish with orange and grapefruit sections, apple or avocado slice and pimiento ribbons.  Also try a salad of plump sun-ripe peach halves on cottage cheese

Ham Banana Rolls (1947 Chiquita Banana Advertisement)

Ham Banana Rolls 
(1947 Chiquita Banana Advertisement)

6 thin slices boiled ham
Prepared mustard
6 firm bananas, peeled
Cheese sauce

Use all yellow or slightly green tipped bananas.

Spread each slice of ham lightly with mustard. Wrap a slice of the prepared ham around each banana.  Place in shallow baking pan and pour cheese sauce over bananas.  Bake in moderate (350 degree) oven for 30 minutes or until bananas are tender (easily pierced with fork).  Serve hot with cheese sauce from the pan poured over each roll.  Serves 6.

Cheese Sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups grated American cheese

Melt butter, add flour, and stir until smooth. Stir in milk slowly. Add cheese and cook, stirring constantly until sauce is smooth and thickened.  Makes about 1 cup sauce.

Key Lime IceBox Cake (1958 Borden's Eagle Brand Condensed Milk Ad)

Key Lime IceBox Cake
(1958 Borden's Eagle Brand Condensed Milk Ad)

1 cup fine graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs, separated
1 (15 oz) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice and 1 tsp. grated lime rind OR 1 (6 oz) can fresh-frozen limeade
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
3 to 4 drops green pure food coloring (if desired)

Combine crumbs and butter. Reserve 1/4 cup mixture. Press remaining mixture on bottom and sides of lightly buttered refrigerator tray, chill.   Beat egg yolks until thick, combine with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Add lime juice or limeade, rind and vanilla, stir until mixture thickens.  If desired, tint pale green.

Beat egg whites into soft peaks, gradually add sugar, beat until stiff but not dry. Fold into Eagle Brand-lime mixture. Pour into tray.

Border with reserved crumbs, decorate with slices of lime rind. Freeze until firm 4-6 hours.

Orange Buttermilk Cooler (Borden's Advertisement, Ladies Home Journal, 1958)

Orange Buttermilk Cooler
(Borden's Advertisement, Ladies Home Journal, 1958)

Combine one large scoop of Borden's Orange Sherbet with each cup of chilled Borden's Buttermilk and beat until smooth and creamy.   Decorate with an orange slice and a bright maraschino cherry!