Old Fashion Irish Potato Cake

The Record’s “Recipe of the Week”:
Old Fashion Irish Potato Cake by Bettie L. Hall

CAKE:
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup hot mashed potatoes
4 eggs, whites and yolks separated, beaten
1/3 cup melted chocolate
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup water
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 cup nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla

BUTTERMILK FROSTING:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. baking soda

For the cake: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and spices several times and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the hot mashed potatoes, melted chocolate, and baking soda dissolved in water. Beat thoroughly. Add the beaten egg yolks and dry ingredients alternately with milk. Continue beating until smooth. Last, fold in the beaten egg whites, nuts, and vanilla.

2) For a layer cake: Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. For a loaf cake: Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. (This recipe is so old the temperatures were not available and I’ve worked them out. They may vary in different ovens.)

3) For the frosting: Combine all frosting ingredients in a large pan. Cook until the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped in cold water. Beat until creamy, being careful not to over beat. Stop when it starts thickening.