Catholic Recipe: Barbarakuchen

Also Called: St. Barbara's Cake

This is an old traditional German cake recipe that makes a lovely lemon-flavored cake to go with a cup of coffee on the feast of St. Barbara.

December 4 was the universal feast of St. Barbara, until the revision of the General Roman Calendar. She was a saint that presented historical difficulties. Her feast is still December 4, but only celebrated locally in various areas.

DIRECTIONS

Soften butter at room temperature and whisk with electric beater until frothy. Grate lemon peel and add. Mix dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch and baking powder) in a separate bowl. Alternately add sugar, eggs, and the dry ingredients to the butter and lemon mixture. Grease and flour a rectangular 12-inch bread pan. Fill with batter and bake at 350°F until toothpick comes out clean.

When cake is cooled somewhat, remove from pan. Prepare icing by mixing the powdered sugar with the lemon juice. Spread on top of the warm cake.