Let me tell you about one of the most meaningful, touching gifts I’ve ever gotten.

Recently, my mother-in-law put together a very special recipe book for me. It’s a handmade collection of recipes from her mother, who passed away right around the time I met Andy. On the cover is a picture of my adolescent husband and his grandmother, and inside are photocopies of pastry recipes in Grandma Ida’s own handwriting. I never got to meet Grandma Ida, but she now lives on in my kitchen.

This recipe in particular stood out among the rest because of a little comment that Grandma Ida wrote in at the end: (tastes good). She was right.

Grandma Ida’s Orange Cake
A Playing House Original

For the cake:
1/2 c vegetable shortening
1 c sugar
2 large eggs
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp orange rind
3/4 c sour cream

For the glaze:
1/2 c freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 c sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine shortening and sugar until well blended. Add eggs and mix to combine. Sift flour and baking soda together and add to sugar mixture.

3. Stir in orange rind and sour cream, and pour mixture into a well-greased bundt (or other circular) pan.

4. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. While the cake is still warm, invert onto a cake plate. Combine orange juice and sugar until sugar dissolves (microwave for a bit if needed) and pour over the warm cake. Enjoy!