I made a cake today that was a real blast from the past-a Harvey Wallbanger cake!
Yesterday Leo and I went to the auction that we attend most Mondays. I had perused a box of old cookbooks and had even looked through this one.
You see, I love old cookbooks, especially the church or community ones. This one looked to be from the late 1970s or perhaps early 1980s.
The cookbook just seemed to open to this page where I saw a recipe for a Harvey Wallbanger cake. I had never had this cake before, but I do remember having a Harvey Wallbanger cocktail in the 1970s, probably because I was more intriqued by the name than the ingredients. Supposedly a bartender created the drink for a regular patron named Harvey who had a few too many, fell down, and banged his head on the wall. Thereafter, he was called Harvey Wallbanger and the drink was named after him. This could be one of those urban myths, but it sounds plausible.
Well, I didn’t buy the box of cookbooks at the auction, but I did come home with this one. The person who bought the cookbooks left this one on the ground, and I scooped it up.
Remembering that I had this in our stash of hooch, I decided to make the cake today. I didn’t even take pictures of the steps involved. I didn’t even think it would be blog worthy, but after tasting it, I knew I had to share. It is the fluffiest, moistest cake I’ve ever had!
After googling it today, I found that some people have been looking for this recipe because their mothers or grandmothers made this cake years ago when the cocktail was all the rage.
Allrecipes declared the cake “tastes just like the cocktail only in cake form.” To make the cocktail, all you need is vodka, Galliano (which is an Italian herbal liqueur), and orange juice, and you use the same ingredients in the cake.
So if you’ve ever had this cake and/or want a blast from the past, here is the recipe.
- 1 package yellow cake mix
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 2 ounces Galliano
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat all of the ingredients for 4 minutes and pour into a greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Allow cake to cool about 15 minutes before removing from the pan.
To make the glaze:
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Vodka
- 1 tablespoon Galliano
Mix thoroughly and glaze the cake while warm.
This is an adults only cake, so if you are serving to children, omit the alcohol in the glaze! And if you’d like to make your cake from scratch,here’s a recipe here. In the reviews that I read, some people used a Duncan Hines Orange Supreme cake mix and put orange zest in the cake and the glaze. I bet that would be awesome, too!
Thought I show you the cute cake plate that I used today. It was given to me by a parent of a child I taught several years ago. I’ve used it many times since. Thanks, Laura!
Look how well it matches this little quilt that I have.
As always, thanks for visiting the Cottage at the Crossroads. If you haven’t entered our giveaway yet, click here.
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Tess says
January 29, 2012 at 11:16 pmOh…my mother used to make this cake. I think she got the recipe from a local radio station show that used to give recipes. I am not much of a drinker (maybe twice a year?) but I remember this drink being all the rage with that distinctive bottle and the yellow color.
Thanks for sharing this…I will definitely make this cake now!
Laura says
January 29, 2012 at 9:51 pmLook forward to trying this recipe-thank you!
Mary says
January 29, 2012 at 6:40 amHi Jane~ Your cake looks & sounds delicious! It’s always fun to peruse old community & church cookbooks~ what a telling time capsule they are! I’ve never had the pleasure of a Harvey Wallbanger at happy hour~ love the story of the origin of the name of the drink, urban legend or not 🙂 LOVE your quilt & cake plate!
Sherry says
January 28, 2012 at 10:57 pmI remember my mom making this cake but my sister and I could not have any because of the alcohol. She made us chocolate cupcakes instead. I need to make one of these now!
xo, Sherry
Marigene says
January 27, 2012 at 5:24 pmYikes, that Wallbanger cake sure brings back memories of the late 70’s! Your quilt is gorgeous
Laura says
January 27, 2012 at 7:22 amWow, I haven’t seen one of those cakes in a long time. Thanks for the blast from the past.
Laura
the polka dot closet says
January 26, 2012 at 10:34 pmYes, I remember Harvey Wallbangers! I love old cook books, I was looking at one this weekend in an antique store and it was talking about frying bacon and how you heat your lard before putting the bacon in the pan LOL!
Carol
Sarah says
January 26, 2012 at 10:08 pmThis is certainly a walk down memory lane. Haven’t thought about a Harvey Wallbanger in many, many years. Thanks! ~ Sarah
Kathleen says
January 25, 2012 at 11:12 pmI remember the drink and the cake! Good way to use up those cordials no one drinks anymore! We have a cabinet full of them!
Pretty plate, nice rememberance of your student.
Sue B. says
January 25, 2012 at 7:58 pmFor me, this one is right up there with the infamous rum cake! I’ve made many of them…and would do another this minute but have no Galliano! Tomorrow will fix that, lol! I just love old recipe books…they’re generally all very tried and true! Enjoy that cake!
Nana Diana says
January 25, 2012 at 2:39 pmI love those old cookbooks, too. I think they have the best recipes ever. I also love your little plate and what a beautiful match to your quilted piece. xo Diana
christine @ Stonehouse Living says
January 25, 2012 at 2:28 pmHi Jane,
Oh, this looks interesting!! Beautiful cake plate and the table topper too!
I have never heard of this cake, but I have heard of the drink!
Your new blog re-do is so beautiful…love all of the flowers motifs!
All the Best,
Christine
Jean Windham says
January 25, 2012 at 12:14 pmThe cake looks yummy. I have my grandmother’s cook book which I treasure so I do understand your love of collecting. Jean
jen says
January 25, 2012 at 8:55 amLooks yummy!!! I love old cookbooks too 🙂 Fun to read them.
Debbie says
January 25, 2012 at 8:10 amI think I remember this blast from the past, but never made it…it looks so good maybe I will!
Thanks,
Debbie
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
January 25, 2012 at 7:57 amI love picking up old cookbooks in antique shops..got that from my sister who has collected them for years. The cake looks great..will definitely have to try that recipe!..Beautiful plate and quilt.
PEGGY says
January 25, 2012 at 5:50 amI love old cook books I have one of my Grans that is measured in money
a fruit cake eg 15 cents of rasins 10 cents of peel etc written in her hand writing
Love your recipes
Pondside says
January 25, 2012 at 2:08 amI remember drinking a Harvey Wallbanger in 1972 when I traveled out to BC to meet my future mother-in-law. I’d love to try this cake – it would be a great dessert for a bridge party.
CAS says
January 24, 2012 at 11:15 pmThis sounds so good! As I recall, the drink was quite tasty, too! …….LOL!
Jane, I appreciate that you signed up to follow me on Networked Blogs, but I’ve finally figured out this whole Friend Connect thing, thanks to some nice bloggy friends . I will now be shutting down that extra “Follow Site.” Apparently, most of us, if we are connected through blogspot, our Friend Connect will not change. Woohoo!
CAS
Rose says
January 24, 2012 at 10:27 pmI have so many cookbooks! Lots of church ones. I can imagine how moist it was!
Vickie says
January 24, 2012 at 10:06 pmYou know I never met a cookbook I didn’t like! That cake plate is to die for!The quilt too!
The Kitchen Witch says
January 24, 2012 at 9:44 pmSo funny, I just read this recipe in my Grandma’s old Republican Women’s Club cookbook a few days ago and decided to make chocolate lava cakes instead. I still gotta try this out, though!
for the love of a house says
January 24, 2012 at 9:07 pmI swear I gain a pound everytime I come to visit y’all!!! That cake looks wonderful… a big slice for me please!!
xojoan
Barbara F. says
January 24, 2012 at 7:34 pmI remember this drink! I don’t think I have ever had the cake. though. It looks good, Jane. That little cookbook was meant to come home with you. xo
Lavender Dreams says
January 24, 2012 at 7:11 pmI love the little quilt that you showed! Such pretty colors! Enjoy your week! ♥
Gina says
January 24, 2012 at 6:18 pmOh my, that looks great! I remember seeing a recipe for this in one of my Mom’s old cookbooks. I should give it a try.