Mixmaster, Pound Cake and Watkins Vanilla

[ea56]

Well, perusing on ebay as I’m often want to do, I happened to run across a listing for a late 80’s Sunbeam Euro Style 12 speed Mixmaster.  I bought one of these in about 1988 and really liked it.  But when I could afford a Classic KA stand mixer in 2000 I bought one and gave the Sunbeam to my sister.  

 

If truth be told I was never really happy with the KA stand mixer.  Too much stopping the beater to push the batter down with a spatula and too much flour that flew all over the place.  So eventually I just stopped using it and went back to a KA 3 speed hand mixer.

 

So when I saw this Sunbeam Euro style for a reasonable price I bought it.  I love it!  I also bought stainless steel bowls to go with it, they’re easier to handle than the heavy glass bowls. It arrived about 3 weeks ago.

 

I also recalled reading here how many members liked Watkins Vanilla, so I scored an 11 oz. bottle of this too.

 

On Wed.  I made the Kentucky Butter Cake recipe from my Pillsbury Kitchens Cookbook from the early 80’s using the “new” Mixmaster and the Watkins vanilla.  I’d forgotten how much easier it was to make a cake with a Sunbeam Mixmaster, a breeze!  

 

The cake is the best Pound Care ever, the Watkins vanilla gave it a delicious vanilla flavor, much better than the Shilling Vanilla Extract I usually use.  I’m sold and it will be Watkins Vanilla from now on.  I think it was Hans (noregway) and Tim (polkanut) that sang the praises of this fine product, thanks guys!

 

I posted the recipe, didn’t use the Butter Sauce, it doesn’t need it.

 

Eddie

[this post was last edited: 4/3/2020-19:00]

 

[mattl]

Looks good!  I bought stuff to make a pie, but I've been loosing weight and made brownies last week, don't want to pus it..

 

Vanilla wise I only use Neilson-Massey Madagascar bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract.  Usually buy the 32 oz. bottle - it lasts a few years- but last I looked it's over $100 now.  Have bought it for as little $34 years ago.  I'll opt for the 4oz bottle at $21.00.

 

Might be willing to try the Watkins vanilla- is it pure vanilla? or is it the fake stuff.

 

[ea56]

Matt I’ve always been very particular about vanilla, and would only use pure vanilla extract.  The Watkins had pure vanilla extract, with water, sugar, glycerin, alcohol, natural flavors and fruit juice for color.  My grandma always used Watkins vanilla that she bought from the door to door Watkins Man.

 

I paid $14.99 for 11oz. and frankly IMHO it has a far richer vanilla flavor than the pure vanilla extract I have been using.  For the price you can hardly go wrong.

 

Eddie

 

[polkanut]

Thanks Eddie!!!

Yes, I'm one the people who have and will continue to sing the praises of Watkins Vanilla.  I'm a 4th generation user.  And my Euro Style Mixmaster is my daily driver.  I've never used anything else but Mixmasters.  I'm a 3rd generation user for that.

 

[petek]

I have one of those Euro style mixmasters as well.. It's surprisingly good, and quiet too. It's somewhat similar to the Bosch Compact MUM mixer

 

[chachp]

That looks good Eddie

 

I may have to dig out my BUNDT and try that tomorrow.

 

[chachp]

That looks good Eddie

 

I may have to dig out my BUNDT and try that tomorrow.

 

[combo52]

Looks Like A Yummy Pound Cake

And while I am sure that the Watkins Vanilla  flavoring tastes great keep in mind it is not real  Vanilla Extract and cannot be called that by law.

 

I often use an imitation vanilla flavoring and find the results good, but if you want the real thing I use McCormick or the Kirkland Signature Pure Vanilla Extract from Costco, you can also make your own from Vanilla beans if you want a real treat.

 

John L.

 

[circlew]

That style Mixmaster reminds me a lot of a mixer Hotpoint made back in the 30's; its motor was in the stand part.

My neighbor lady down the street makes that cake, and it sure IS good. She also uses Watkins vanilla; I think it says double-strength. Menard's sells Watkins products, and I bought some lemon extract there. Haven't used it yet.

 

[kevin313]

Eddie that cake looks wonderful and rich! Nothing better than a good pound cake.

Congrats on your "new" Mixmaster. I remember seeing those from time to time when they came out and always wondered how they performed. Sounds like they are good machines.

I've used Watkins vanilla and other flavorings and spices over the years. I find their quality to be very good. Another good vanilla is McNess vanilla compound, which I buy at a Amish store here in the Michigan thumb.

Enjoy that beautiful cake!!

 

[ea56]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

 

I’ve always preferred Pure Vanilla Extract too, usually buy McCormick/Shilling and its always been better than any imitation vanilla.  That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised that Watkins Vanilla Flavoring with pure vanilla extract tasted so good.  

 

And both David and I noticed it within the first couple of bites.  And since it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals and tasted better I’m sold.

 

But many other imitation vanilla flavorings I’ve tried I didn’t care for.  Anyway, the cake came out great and I think the Mixmaster had something to do with it too.

 

Eddie

 

[frigilux]

Congratulations on your Mixmaster find! The pound cake looks great, as does the beautiful cake holder its in.

 

[vacerator]

"You don't eat meat"?

It's ok, I make Lamb.

 

[norgeway]

I like Watkins

But usually I buy Happy Home made by Southern Flavorings in Bedford Virginia Their Premium Lemon is the very best , I like their Mexican Vanilla or their premium Vanilla My Grandmother always bought Sauers pure extracts They didn't have the depth of flavor Happy Home has.