Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Poppy Seed Cake.
One of the things I love to do around my birthday is bake Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Poppy Seed Cake.
Having a birthday so close after Christmas, when everyone is really “over” sweets, Grandma made this simple cake for my birthday every year for as long as I can remember until she passed away.
May sound kind of strange that I like to bake my own cake these days, but I really do. For me, it’s more than baking. It’s reminiscing. It’s sweet, loving memories. It’s kind of a tribute to my Stella Star.
I use Grandma’s old tin measuring cup as I measure out the flour and sugar. I grease and flour the pan – a square tube pan – because that is the way Grandma did it. I crack eggs and stir and think of conversations Grandma and I had in the kitchen while she cooked and baked. I put it in the oven and wait for the smell…. That smell that takes me right there to her kitchen. Right back to that feeling of comfort and peace and unconditional love.
So yep – baking my cake gives me almost as much joy as eating it!
I love the way the outside is crisp and crunchy, and the inside is tender and moist and just a little sweet, but packed full of flavor.
This is a very basic cake. A cake likely made in times when ingredients were simple, money was tight, and everything was made from scratch with love. And I love it!
Do you have a recipe like this that is just as much of a memory as it is something to eat? Something that is a ritual of love?
Here is our recipe:
Grandma's Easy Poppy Seed Cake
When cool, sprinkle generously with sifted powdered sugar.
Jodi
Grandma was right! What a perfect treat to follow up with after the holidays. If I ever get poppyseed cake again (I don’t see it much) I will think of this story. And your birthday.
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What special memories to hold close to your heart! I’m going to try this cake soon!😁
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Oh, this looks so so good. Thank you for sharing your memories. 🙂
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Wonderful, Jodi!
This takes me back to being in my grandmother’s (“Ba”) kitchen as she cooked and baked. How we talked and talked….whatever she made was wonderful, especially birthday cakes.
Happy birthday—I’m sure that your Stella is smiling right now!
Jane
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I almost thought it was a pound cake but then saw there was oil instead of butter. I also love the hard crust and sweet inside. Yum. This look s good to eat!
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Lovely and simple recipe…. Although its belated now but Wish you a very Happy birthday Jodi :). I am only an amateur, who just found out that i can actually cook, i think your Grandma’s recipe is worth a try. 🙂
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thank you for the birthday wishes and glad you enjoyed the recipe. It is so simple and classic and delish – hope you will try it.
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“Baking is love made edible” – unknown. I would like to say that I am the unknown author, alas, I am not. To be honest, it was printed on a T-shirt that I purchased for my daughter. It certainly was true of my sweet Gram and it appears to describe your Grandma “Stella Star” too. My Gram was the piecrust expert. I watched her from toddler to teenager, unable to pin her down to an exact recipe. She knew by the “feel” when it was “just right” and it was always perfectly light and flaky. Mine more resembles a rock that holds a tasty filling. Your Birthday cake is the perfect combination of past and present celebrations. A tradition and gift to pass onto your Granddaughter through shared floury moments. Thank-you! P.S. A square tube pan…love it!
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Love that quote! I bet your baker daughter loves that T!!
My grandma made a mean pie crust too, but I have to say my mother-in-law was the one who taught me how to perfect pie crust, and I must admit to not measuring either – at least the water. It just has to “feel right” – and the key is NOT to OVERWORK it. That is what makes it tough. My sister-in-law always wanted to knead it like bread dough, but you just work it until incorporated then roll out and go. At least that has been my success. I did a post a while back about pie crust 🙂 Hubby always brags on my crust. So many people eat pie filling and skip the crust, but he says crust is the best part – at least when done right. 🙂 Love my square tube pan. It makes crispy corners and is just FUN! 🙂
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Ma grandma was the best at preparing such desserts, she would always make them for holidays or Sunday familly dinners, we would enjoy such with a cup of strawberry ice cream 😀
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oh it would be perfect with a cup of strawberry ice cream!!!!
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Agreed! 😀
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mmmm divine!!
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I just had breakfast, but you made hungry again! 🙂
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🙂
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Thank you for this recipe, your gramma is shining through on this post!
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Yay! 🙂 ❤
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YUM! I would love this cake! I love simple cakes like this!
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I wish I could easily share with you 🙂
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That would be so nice! 🙂
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Not only does this sound wonderful, but I am intrigued by the square tube pan, Jodi. Was that your grandmother’s, too?
My mission this week is to try to recreate a 1:1 flour mix that King Arthur puts out, and begin baking in a gluten free or gluten reduced way so the whole family can enjoy (today: reduced gluten peanut butter cookies). I’m going to try adapting this recipe to use my alternative flour mixture…Thanks, as always, for sharing your bounty.
And I don’t think there’s anything weird about baking your own birthday cake!
Pam
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Yes – I believe the tube pan is grandma’s. I think it is aluminum. I love how the corners get extra crispy 🙂
Good luck with the gluten free version. Let me know how it goes.
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Sounds just perfect Jodi – I love those recipes that have been passed down…my father’s mother (Mom Mom) gave me her recipe box before she passed away – I cherish it! Memories are so important…
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what a wonderful gift!! Especially when they are handwritten! Such a treasure!
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It is absolutely a treasure – I’ve even cooked a few of her recipes for the blog! My cousins love that! Thanks Jodi 🙂
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I love Poppy Seed cake, haven’t had it in ages, must remedy that! I love that you bake your own favorite cake for your birthday, smart girl!
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Hooray! Glad you are going to “remedy that!” 🙂
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Looks delicious! I remember my grandmother making a cake with caraway seeds, not something you come across much these days!
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wow – never tried that! I like rye bread with caraway seeds 🙂
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I always bake my own cake too as I love to bake:)
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What kind do you make? Same every year or different?
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Oh no something different every year:) My grandma used to make a cake I loved, but I can’t have it now so I’m still on the search for a new cake I love
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👍😉🍰
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Looks wonderful Jodi…. !
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Thanks Evelyn!
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Such a gorgeous recipe, such a gorgeous notion to make ones own birthday cake. This year I will do just that (no-one else will) and I will raise a slice to you (won’t be for a few months, by the way … I’m a September baby not like these silly late December and worst of all 25th burpdays 😉
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You make everything sound charming and lovely 🙂 (Except for birthdays on 12/25!) 🙂
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Scrumptious, Jodi … your sweet post and that delicious cake … I can almost smell the wonderful aroma from here! Anita 🙂
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aww! I’m so glad! 🙂 ❤
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I have never seen a square bundt cake pan… that’s pretty nifty! I would love this cake, as I always choose poppy seed muffins over any other ones when given a choice. 🙂
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Me too! Always the poppy seed muffin! 🙂 PS – Excited to share your Beef Barley Stoup in a post scheduled for Saturday! Such a great recipe! If your tacos are as good as this, I may just have to fly to OR to eat one!!!
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Oh you totally flatter me Jodi, thank you!! I’m so glad you and the hubby enjoyed it so much! (And glad you got better to have some!)
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☺️
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I love that you bake your own birthday cake!! 🎂❤️ Especially all the love and memories you put into it. 😍
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Any excuse to bake a cake! 🙂 ❤
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I hope you are feeling better! ❤️
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I Am getting there!
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What a beautiful post … and how wonderful that you bake your own birthday cake for the memories and sweetness that it brings. I’m going to bake your cake this weekend … because your post was so warm and sweet and made me think of my grandmother, too. Thank you for that.
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What a lovely note to receive! Thank you Jackie! Enjoy baking it and eating it, and do let me know if you like it!
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What a beautiful cake! and filled with wonderful memories, too…(K)
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☺️❤️
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I love those foods and recipes that have special memories! This cake looks so pretty and so good!
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Me too 😉❤️
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Takes me back. One of my favourite cakes of all time (:
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Woohoo!!
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It looks wonderfully delicious! I love poppy seed muffins so, I’m willing to bet I’d like this too.
You were so blessed to have grown up with a Grandmother. My maternal Grandmother died when I was just 13 weeks old, and the rest had died a long time before I was born so, I didn’t have any growing up, and I knew I was missing something special when I saw my friends with their Grandparents.
I’m so thankful my children had my He-Man’s parents, and my Mom. Actually He-Man’s mom is the Grandma I want to be. I hope #1 Grandson has fond memories of me when growing up, and when I’m gone. I thought being a Mom was the greatest thing ever and my raison d’ etre, but being a Grandma…WOW so much better! 🙂
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Awww I’m so sorry you missed out on grandmas but I think you are surely making up for it being one! It’s just as good if not better!! ❤️❤️
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Hi Jodi, one of the older ladies from my church always made poppyseed cake just like your Grandma did. I had lost the recipe, but now I can make this favourite again❤️ Thanks for sharing!
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Awwww! Yay! I’m so glad to know! Thank you so much for sharing! You brought a huge smile to my face with this note 🙂
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