To the editor:

In the March 4, 2009 issue of The Irregular you published my plea for a molasses cake recipe like the one my grandmother Pillsbury of Phillips used. I was overwhelmed by the responses from 14 readers.

That demanded a “Bake Off” governed by my capacity to consume molasses cakes and my wife’s willingness to keep up with the baking.

I have to thank each and every respondent. Many recipes were similar and some were a bit fancy even adding whipped cream. In all instances if the recipe did not call for raisins I added them. We did use a substitute for “Lard” when called for.

I finally decided the recipe that most closely replicated my grandmother’s was from a 1981 edition of The Maine Rebekah’s Cookbook, Northern Light Lodge No. 76, Solon, Maine. I recall when growing up in Phillips that any good household cook would not be without one or two trusted Rebekah Cookbooks.

Thanks to everyone and thanks to The Irregular.
Gordon Pillsbury
Knoxville, Tennessee