Recipe written in Frank Morse’s journal. The journal’s content dates to around 1912. FWWM archives.
Everyone is spending a lot more time at home, and cooking and baking are providing sustenance as well as comfort and a way to relieve stress and anxiety. Even Museum workers at home are baking for the pleasure of it. But instead of going online to find highly-rated and tested recipes, we decided to look to the Museum’s archives for our baking inspiration.
Franklin Morse in his police uniform. FWWM archives.
Franklin Boardman Morse was born in Whitehall, New York, on July 11, 1845. His family moved to Ohio and then Iowa, where at age 17, he enlisted in the 18th Iowa Infantry at the outset of the Civil War.
After the war, he returned to Iowa. In 1868 he crossed the plains with a mule team bound for the Willamette Valley. They stopped in Walla Walla, and here Morse stayed. He worked as a constable, county horticulturist, and city police officer. In the Museum’s collection are several journals kept by Morse between 1894-1918. They contain newspaper clippings and written information about agricultural and horticultural practices, sensational crimes, cell blocks at the prison, and recipes. The journal with recipes dates to around 1912. The museum staff was interested in testing a few of Morse’s favorite cakes at home.
Ingredients for the coffee cake.
The recipe for this coffee cake is listed as
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup molasses
1 cup strong coffee
4 cups flour
3 eggs
2 cups raisins
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp cloves & cinnamon
This is not a recipe for the classic German crumb-topped cake enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Rather, it is a spiced cake recipe that includes strong leftover coffee as an ingredient. Similar recipes using coffee, spices, dried fruits, and nuts date back to the mid to late 1800s. After reviewing similar recipes, we preheated the oven to 350°F and combined ingredients.
The result was a lovely molasses and clove-flavored cake. The cupcakes baked in 18 minutes and the cake in 35 minutes. Notes: The flavor may have benefited from a half teaspoon of salt, and those who may want to tame the taste of clove can reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon.