Coconut Pound Cake

I hope all you Fathers out there had a wonderful Fathers Day yesterday. Nick had to work but afterwards he was honored with a cake and a few gifts from the daughter. We let him nap all afternoon. We honored the fathers at church during the morning service and took the dads out for dinner that evening. It was a great day.

Now to the coconut cake. 

My daughter came home Friday night to aggravate spend time with her dad all weekend. They are always picking and playing. She likes to bake with me so I decide to make a coconut pound cake after seeing the recipe online. I did not plan to eat all of it so I gave half to my daddy. He loves any kind of sweet stuff. 

I love how it turned out and it was fairly easy to make. When I cook, I can make the biggest mess and it usually takes me more time cleaning up than actually making it. So if you saw my kitchen, you would think I struggled. It only took about 5 minutes to put it together and 65 minutes to bake. It had a light taste that was not too sweet. I think it tasted more like some sort of bread than a cake. It went great with a cup of coffee and only lasted 2 days. 

I let my daughter make the frosting. It was delicious and added just the right amount of sweetness. 

COCONUT POUND CAKE

• 2 cups- all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp- baking powder
• 1/2 tsp- salt
• (You can use self rising flour and eliminate the salt and baking powder).
• 3/4 cup- butter (room temp)
• 1 cup- sugar
• 1/2 tsp- vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp- coconut extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup coconut milk (or coconut cream)
• 1 1/4 cup sweetened coconut

Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together. In another bowl, use a hand or stand mixer and cream the butter, sugar, vanilla extract and coconut extract together. 

Add in the eggs one at a time then gradually add in the dry ingredients while alternating with the coconut milk. 

Fold in the coconut then pour into a prepared loaf pan. (Lined with parchment paper or well greased).

Bake 350 for 60-65 minutes. Test it with a toothpick or cake tester for doneness.

*FROSTING

• 4 tablespoons- butter (room temperature)
• 2 cups- confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons coconut extract
• 1/4 cup- toasted coconut

Mix together the wet ingredients then gradually add in the powder sugar. 

*You can also add coconut extract to store bought vanilla or cream cheese frosting. 

Vintage Nesting Bowls

I had a great weekend. It has been a while since I had a weekend off. Nick had to work so I had most of the weekend to myself. 

It was nice getting up in the morning, having my cup of coffee (or three) and not worry about having to put on make up and dress clothes. It was also the perfect time to meet up with my parents for brunch. They call it breakfast but since they eat their first meal around 11:00 am, I call it brunch. I met them at a diner in town and enjoyed some bacon, eggs and grits. 

After brunch I went down to their house for a little visit. They are still unpacking and sorting through boxes since their recent move in last month. 

I noticed some cute little nesting bowls. I vaguely remember mom using these bowls as I was growing up. I always admired them. She said she was planning on throwing them in the trash because they were cracked and useless. I grabbed them up and said, I’ll make use of them somehow. The large one could still be used as a fruit bowl or I can use the bowls for planters. I would not cook with them anymore or eat from them because of the cracks. They are old. 

These are made by Watt Pottery. I always thought the pattern was a cherry but it’s actually their most popular print of an apple. 

The Watt company started in 1922 but did not start marking them until the 1940’s. They have the marking of  “Ovenware Made in the USA”. Some also had a number on the bottom stating the size of the bowl. 

1949 is when they started hand painting them with a simple county design. This was to make production run faster. 

The apple print was the 2nd print made in 1951. They produced it for a year until the next design. 

From 1949-1953 was the busiest time for Watt Pottery. Patterns produced during this time are the most popular. They made more than just bowls such as pitchers, butter dishes, S&P shakers, etc. 

The factory burned down in 1965 making Watt Pottery even more popular as no more were made. There have been “fake” replicas made but they are recognized by mis-markings, colors and quality. 

Doing the math- These bowls are 70 years old. Wow. 

Do you have any vintage finds that you have decided to keep?