Catholic Recipe: Melachrino (Spice Cake)
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1-2/3 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon mace
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/3 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Icing
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 5 or 6 Tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Details
Prep Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Difficulty: ★★☆☆
Cost: ★★☆☆
For Ages: 11+
Origin: Greece
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This Greek Christmas sweet bread or spice cake can also be called Hidden Jesus Bread. Another cake, which tastes even sweeter after early morning Mass, is made from a Greek recipe. In Greece it is customary to make this cake at Christmas and hide a silver coin deep in its crust. The one who receives the coin is honor man for the day. You can also bake a tiny figure of the Holy Infant in the dough. The one who receives the coin or figure is honored for the day.
DIRECTIONS
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add milk alternately with sifted dry ingredients. Stir in lemon juice. Pour batter into a greased 9" by 14" loaf pan. Bake in a moderate oven (350°F.) for 45 minutes. While the cake is still hot, cover with icing.
Recipe Source: Cooking for Christ by Florence Berger, National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310, 1949, 1999
