From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I've decided to make this summer sweets week on the blog and the first recipe I want to share with you is James Beard's 1-2-3-4 Cake. While there are boatloads of recipes for this cake, I've zeroed in on his because it has a spare elegance that is lacking in most of the others. This is an heirloom cake that your grandmother probably made. While its popularity and longevity can be attributed to the basic goodness of the cake, the fact that its recipe formula is so easy to remember hasn't hurt its standing either. That formula, which includes 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour and 4 eggs, is what gives the cake its name. Beard's version of the cake uses a mix of citrus juice, rather than frosting, to glaze the cake, and that fresh fruity flavor makes it wonderful to serve with macerated berries and a dollop of cream at this time of year. The glaze also makes a wonderful base for a bittersweet chocolate ganache, should you prefer a more traditional icing. I like to make this cake a day or two before I plan to serve it. That gives the flavors a chance to ripen and permeate the cake. If you are looking for a yellow cake that is tender and has outstanding flavor, I hope you'll give this one a try. Its appearance is deceiving. It is plain looking, to be sure, but it is delicious and has an elegance all its own. Here is how the cake is made.
