SCROLL DOWN FOR RECIPE - DERBY DAY MINT JULEP CAKE
Tomorrow marks the 151st run of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, in Louisville, Ky. Below is my mother's Derby Day Mint Julep Cake. Kentucky became a second home to myself and my parents after my oldest sister married a Southerner and moved to Louisville in the early 70s. My sister, Josephine, passed away just a year ago, I think she would be pleased with the mention.
I have many sweet memories of spending long, lazy days traipsing about Louisville in the stifling summer heat! And that is pronounced LOO-ə-vəl as if it is one syllable. If you don't want to be deemed a Yankee🤣 don't come down there with LOO-ee-vil rolling off your tongue.
My sister's in-laws lived just down the road from Churchill Downs Racetrack. Her father-in-law had a loyal love for horse racing and all that encompassed the elegant equestrian performance sport. I sometimes would sit with him, Mr. Reiter, and listen to the races on his car radio. He would so eloquently describe to me the horses, their jockeys, and of course, their odds. :) We made visits to the Downs too, where one can revel in the splendor of the finely manicured greens against the dirt track and allow your imagination to bring to life the traditions and pageantry of this historic site that has hosted decades of Derby goers.
DERBY DAY MINT JULEP CAKE
From BETTY COLL
1 CUP CHOPPED NUTS, WALNUTS OR PECANS
1 18.5 OZ YELLOW CAKE MIX
1 SMALL BOX JELL-O INSTANT VANILLA PUDDING MIX
4 FRESH, LARGE EGGS
1/2 CUP COLD WATER
1/2 CUP VEGETABLE OIL
1/2 CUP MINT JULEP MIX (DRINK MIXER)
GLAZE
1/4 POUND BUTTER
1/4 CUP WATER
1/2 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
1/2 CUP MINT JULEP MIX
POWDERED SUGAR
MELT BUTTER IN A SAUCEPAN, ADD WATER AND SUGAR STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL SUGAR MELTS, REMOVE FROM HEAT. ADD MINT JULEP MIX AND JUST ENOUGH POWDERED SUGAR TO MAKE A THIN GLAZE.
PRE-HEAT OVEN TO 325 DEGREES . GREASE AND FLOUR A BUNDT PAN. SPRINKLE CHOPPED NUTS ON BOTTOM OF BUNDT PAN.
MIX ALL CAKE INGREDIENTS TOGETHER TILL WELL BLENDED, ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH ELECTRIC MIXER. POUR BATTER INTO PAN. BAKE 1 HOUR.
COOL, INVERT, REMOVE FROM PAN, PRICK TOP OF CAKE WITH A FORK AND DRIZZLE GLAZE OVER CAKE. SPRINKLE WITH ADDITIONAL CHOPPED NUTS AND MINT LEAVES IF DESIRED.
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