The Lane Cake- Southern USA #98

The Lane Cake- Southern USA #98

Over 100 years ago, Emma Rylander Lane of Alabama entered a baking competition in Georgia. She won 1st prize. The cake is known as The Lane Cake. In 196- it was featured in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.   In 1966 Southern Living  magazine featured The Lane Cake.  This is a flavorful, moist 3 layer cake with a filling of dried peaches, toasted pecans and coconut flakes, along with peach schnapps and bourbon. The sides are frosted with meringue.

Cake:

2-1/4 c. sugar
1-1/4 c. butter, softened
8 egg whites, room temperature (save egg yolks for filling)
3 c.  all-purpose soft-wheat flour
4tsp. baking powder
1 c. water
1 T. vanilla extract
Shortening (for pans)

Peach Filling:

8 oz. dried peach halves
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 c.sugar
8 egg yolks
3/4 c. sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 c. chopped toasted pecans
1/2 c. bourbon
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Peach Schnapps Frosting:

2 egg whites
1-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. peach schnapps
2 tsp. light corn syrup
1/8 tsp. table salt

1. Cake: Preheat oven 350F.  Grease and flour 4-9" round can pans.
2. Beat sugar and butter together, with a standing mixer, until fluffy.
3. Gradually beat in the egg whites, 2 at a time.
4. Sift together flour and baking powder.
5. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
6. Stir in 1 T. vanilla extract.
7. Spoon batter into cake pans equally, about 1-3/4 c. in each pan.
8. Bake for 14-16 mins., or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
9. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 mins.
10. Remove cakes from pans and cool completely.
11. Filling:  Pour boiling water to cover over dried peach halves in a medium bowl; let stand 30 mins.
12. Drain well and cut into 1/4 inch pieces, about 2 cups.
13. Whisk together melted butter and sugar and egg yolks in a heavy saucepan.
14. Cook over medium low heat, whisking constantly, 10-12 mins. or until thickened.
15. Remove from heat and stir in diced peaches, coconut, pecans, bourbon, and vanilla. Cool completely.
16. Spread filling between cake layers, about 1 c. for each layer, including top layer.
17. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 12 hours.
18. Frosting:  Pour water to a depth of 1-1/2" into a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat.
19. Whisk together, in a heatproof bowl, 2 egg whites, sugar, peach schnapps, corn syrup and salt and place over boiling water.
20. Beat egg white mixture at medium high speed with a handheld electric mixer 12-15 mins. or until stiff glossy peaks form and frosting is spreading consistency.
21. Remove from heat, and spread immediately over top and sides of cake or just sides.

Results:  I had difficulty in finding dried peaches. After going to 4 grocery stores, I was told there is something going on with the producing of peaches. I switched to dried apricots. This recipe requires 4- 9" cake pans, which meant I would need to buy 3 more pans. Not going to do it. So, I baked 1 layer, then cleaned the pan, baked another layer, cleaned the pan... you get the picture. I only made 3 layers. The filling was easy enough. It was the frosting that was a challenge. I don't know if the recipe is clear or I just didn't get it. Anyway, I over cooked the frosting. It was crunchy and difficult to spread. I had put filling on the top layer, so I only frosted the sides.

Bottom Line: I thought it was very good. I was the only one out of 3 tasters that liked it. I think the booze and sugary frosting turned people off. I won't make this one again.

Please share with To Kill A Mockingbird fans and anyone else who looks a peachy cake or likes to read recipes.  Thanks.