Yellow Cake with Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Icing
Today, we’re going to do a quick and easy recipe with a big old root system behind it. The cake we’re going to use is just a boxed mix because, well it’s not the cake that is important here, it’s the icing. My Grandmother’s old fashioned peanut butter icing. This is another boiled icing, identical to the one we used for the fudge glaze on our chocolate pound cake, only with peanut butter instead of cocoa. This cake will forever me endeared to be for one reason, my great aunt Red.
Red was my great grandmother’s sister. Her given name was “Stella” but I took to calling her Red when I was just a girl due to her insisting that her hair be dyed red at all times. She used to come and stay with my Grandparents often and I was pretty close to both her and my great grandmother, whom we all called simply by her name, “Lela”.
Red was a young one, having been born sixteen years after Lela in the modern year of 1918. Red and Lela were very close and I was their tag along. Whenever Red was visiting, my mother would always be sure to take me by there and allow me to spend a day or two with the them. Their birthdays were one day apart and Mama even started checking me out of school so that I could go take them gifts and be there for cake on the day they both celebrated (I still don’t think my siblings know about this!).
Lela passed away in 1991, when I was seventeen. I didn’t get to see Red nearly as much after that. She got in a “bad way” as folks say it and wasn’t able to get out much. Six years went by, I did see her some, but her health was declining and her birthday was coming up.
She had a daughter in California who wanted to visit and it was silently understood that Red might not be with us too much longer. Her daughter wanted to make a big event out of her birthday, so she rented a banquet hall at a hotel and invited a large crowd for a grand celebration.
As Red’s daughter went about making plans for the party, she asked Red what kind of cake she wanted. Red, with a defiant streak to match her hair color, stated plainly “Lucille makes my cake”. Her daughter apparently had missed the tradition which had grown over the years of my grandmother making Stella’s favorite cake for her birthday each year and Red growing ever fonder of it, looking forward to this fudgy peanut butter icing on her special day. So in the end, Red got her way.
I was going to college and living with my Grandmother at this time (Lucille, Lela’s daughter and Red’s niece). Granddaddy had just passed away so it was just Grandmama and myself living together as “roomies”.
The day of Red’s party arrived and I drove Grandmama the two hours to the hotel where the party was held. The two of us walked into this hotel lobby, to this fancy banquet hall with flowers and balloons, folks all dressed up and Red there with a corsage.
Enter my Grandmother carrying a glass 9×13 Pyrex dish with a Duncan Hines yellow cake and homemade peanut butter icing.
Red was thrilled. It was just what she wanted.
Red and Lela aren’t really gone, neither is Granddaddy for that matter. They all still hang around us and I know they’ll be sniffing this icing and wishing for a bite today.
Place sugar in pot…
Along with shortening and margarine…
and salt…
and milk…
Stir well and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it comes to a boil, stop stirring and allow to boil for one to two minutes.
Stir until blended and creamy. Act fast because this is going to be hardening up right about now.
Pour over cake and spread quickly. If it hardens too much just return to heat for a minute and stir to make it runny again.
Then give the stirring spoon to one of the waiting kids who have been drawn to the kitchen by the amazing smell.
Ingredients Instructions
Stella “Red” and Lela, circa 1988Great Aunt and Great Grandmother
Yeah, this post choked me up too…
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jul 14 2008. Filed under Cake, Dessert, FEATURED Southern Favorites!, Holidays, Southern Classics.
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[...] I hope you’ll take time to read the story of why this icing is so special to me by clicking here. [...]
That is absolutely precious!!! How so very lucky we are to have had Grandmothers and Aunts that were so wonderful…thank you also for your stories….you have a wonderful way of telling them and they ALWAYS make me smile, no matter how the day is going.
Thank you so much Patty!!! ~HUGS~
Thanks for sharing I have been looking for this recipe for ever reminds me of my grandmother
I just love the way you make your recipes so personal. Reminds me so much of growing up in north Georgia in the 50′s. Thank you for sharing.
I agree with Brenda. It’s the story behind the recipe that makes it so special!
And now I’m crying what a heart warming story. The pic. is like looking at my own family members. Thanks for the story and the recipe.
Christy, This story makes me miss my Grandma and my Aunties and they’ve been gone for years, but a story like this brings them right back. I’m sure all of your departed loved ones are gathered round and cheering you on! It’s nice to see big time success come to someone with such a good heart.
Hugs from me!
What a great story…I think all of us ‘southern girls’ whose families were awesome cooks have these memories. I still have my special “Lela”. (and that’s really her name!) She’s my aunt, mom’s sis. My grandmother, mom, and aunt taught me so many things about cooking. Dad too, and I’m forever grateful.
Just subscribed to Southern Plate today, and already loving it, and I’ve decided I have to have your cookbook!
Deb
[...] or until a skewer comes out with fine crumbs. Cool completely. For the icing: (adapted from Southern Plate) Combine the sugar, salt, margarine, shortening and milk in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Cook over [...]
I can just taste the peanut butter icing. I don’t know when I first had this but I loved it. My special memory was my first birthday as a wife; we were in seminary at the time. John talked one of our friends into coming over to our tiny apartment to help him make this cake. I think they did a great job and I might have to have one this July. Thank you for the memories!
Christy, I to have precious memories of strong, southern “Godly” women in my life that also were good cooks. This recipe has been passed down from generation to generation in my family. My 25 year old (4th generation) son married in May…guess what he wanted as his grooms cake….” Mawmaw Eva’s peanut butter cake” “my grandmother”. Our baker suggested not to use the icing on the official cake because of decorating purposes. He was insistent upon this cake so we had to come up with a plan. He had his decorated peanut butter grooms cake (boxed and sent home as a favor) but Mawmaw Eva’s cake was served to the guest at the reception. Another memory to be shared with the next generation. Thank you for sharing your memories and allowing me to share mine!!!
I just made this peanut butter icing and it was amazing. The only thing I changed was that I used light brown sugar instead of white sugar, and I also used double the margarine because I had no shortening. It was absolutely delicious. Thanks a lot!
[...] amazing and I’ll soon be making one of my peanut butter loving family. This is similar to my Old Fashioned Yellow Cake With Peanut Butter Fudge Icing but the from-scratch cake and cream cheese twang in with the peanut butter icing really [...]
[...] butter balls (which I try to always keep in the freezer), Peanut Butter Cookies, oh! And of course Yellow Cake with that Peanut Butter Fudge Icing. There is a cute story about that, too. When I did the 700 Club, I made seven different cakes and [...]
Christy….have you ever thought about having a page with a family tree in your next cookbook? I love reading the story that goes with the recipe, but, I get confused on your wonderful large family of grandparents.
OMG! This was MY birthday cake every year when I was a child! Mama (she passed away when I was 16) would ask what kind I wanted and it was ALWAYS this cake! She baked it from scratch too, now my granddaughter can as well!
I made this with 2 percent milk and it was tasty then I used evaporated milk! Over the top deliciosness!!! Will never use plain milk again with this recipe! A real keeper! Yummy!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful tip Mary!!!
I’m not a peanut butter fan, but I have to try this frosting.
Besides, I’m terrified that ole’ Red will haunt me if I don’t!
This is terrific. I made this Sunday. Instead of making a 9 x 13 cake, I actually fixed a two layer cake in round pans. Then I fixed a double recipe of the Peanut Butter frosting. I put it in between the layers and top and sides. As it cools down, it gets thicker so it will stick to the sides of the cake. It was enjoyed by all.
I can’t believe I just stumbled onto your site! I just had yellow cake with peanut butter icing! My grandma who who was from Arkansas used to make it all the time. I am lucky I have one Aunt left that still makes it. I will be attempting your recipe over the holidays. It is funny how many memories can be stirred up by food. I miss my grandma and grandpa so much and the food just brings me happy thoughts of them. After this my next attempt will be chocolate gravy and biscuits. Thank you for sharing.
Welcome to SouthernPlate Tra!! So glad you found me too, I hope you enjoy the recipes, you will have to let me know how your gravy turns out.
[...] Yellow Cake with Peanut Butter Icing (Cookbook p.258) [...]
[...] Yellow Cake with Peanut Butter Icing (Cookbook p.258) [...]
[...] it’s a walk in the park, every now and then it’s Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies or Peanut butter cake….but a few days ago it was this pretty tray of apple slices, arranged just so around a big [...]
Thank you soo much!
This recipe is an answer to a prayer for me!
You have literally saved me who knows how many hours trying to invent this frosting recipe!
I promised my mom to try to duplicate her grandmothers cake for her 60th birthday.
I never knew either of my great grandmothers and only one of my grandmothers so many of our families traditions and recipes have been lost.
I am positive this is the same frosting recipe because mom says her grandmother never made “fancy” cakes with whipped frosting and “she only used poor peoples ingredients”. Another reason I am sure it is the same one is that she said her grandmother poured the icing on the cake right out of the pan.
I will have to “invent” the cake recipe because mom says that the cake part that her grandmother made was not very sweet. I am guessing maybe just less sugar like the budget cake recipe in my 40′s cookbook.
You have just made it possible for my mom to re-live a special part of her childhood. (Which couldn’t have happened at a better time since she is kinda depressed about turning 60.)
God bless you for helping keep these important parts of our heritage alive.
Laura
do you have a good recipe for old fashioned cooked caramel icing?
Oh my gosh this sounds so yummy and my husband is a peanut butter lover. Gotta try this soon.
I have been looking for this recipe for years! My Gram always used this on a homemade white cake. She has passed and no one could remember the recipe. This is very similar to the recipe I use for peanut butter no bake cookies, just without the oatmeal. Thank you! I love reading your memories!
I am so glad you found it too Nic!! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I made this for a Teacher Appreciation luncheon yesterday. I knew the cake would be good, but I had no idea about the kind of emotions it would stir. I can’t even recall how many people said “that’s just like my grandmother used to make” or “I haven’t had this in years” or “my mother always made that for my birthday.” One woman was almost brought to tears when she recalled her mother boiling the icing. She said her mother now has Alzheimer’s and couldn’t remember the recipe when she asked for it. Someone else said, “I thought that recipe had died with my mother.” After each comment, I was proud to tell them each about your blog and the great stories and recipes that you share each week. I was also proud to share memories of my Mama making this cake for me each year on my birthday and how blessed I am to still have her living. Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your wonderful recipes, thoughtful anecdotes and for helping me bring back (and create new!) wonderful memories.
[...] Yellow Cake with Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Icing [...]
I just made this and it is absolutely heavenly
I couldn’t even wait for it to cool before trying a piece (I had already been cleaning the icing pan)… Yum! Yum! Yum! No wonder Red wanted Lucille to make her cake, this is waaaaayyy better than any bakery cake!! Thank you so much for this recipe!! Hubby loves peanut butter… He’s gonna really like this!! Thanks again 
I just have to tell you, I had the best afternoon thanks to this cake, a cup of coffee and your Southern Plate cookbook.
I had been waiting for the cookbook to become available at the library and FINALLY it came in. Money is tight so last night I was wandering through the pages looking for something sweet I could make with what I had on hand.
I saw this cake and knew I had to make it! I had everything on hand and easily whipped it up. I put my little one down for her afternoon nap and served myself a plate, with a cup of coffee and sat to read more of the cookbook. It made for the perfect relaxing nap break!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes and your family stories. I have been writing down my family recipes for some time now and I hope you don’t mind but I have already written about 10 of yours into it as well. I have been on the site for some time and all your recipes have become favorites.
Although I agree that this recipe was simple to follow and it was delicious, it did not yield enough for my 13 x 9″ chocolate cake. It was so thin I could see the cake through it. I will definitely increase it next time, by half or even double.
Had cake mix but no icing, and let me tell you, this peanut butter icing is WAY better.
I am so glad you liked it Sara!! It is a favorite here.
I just had to post and say Thank You for sharing this story it made the cake I made yesterday extra special knowing how loved the frosting is. I lost my mom 12 years ago she never followed directions as she called it I have very few of her “directions” so I search the web for things that I can try to recreate the love mom created in the kitchen. I am now going to purchase your cookbook. Again Thank You for sharing