The Polish Church Pound Cake

Years ago this was THE most popular and coveted recipe at the Polish church of my youth. The flavoring most used was a butter/vanilla/nut flavoring combination sold locally. The cherries and nuts were not cut fine; thus they formed a pretty pattern in a slice of cake. The cake is moist and flavorful with a lovely texture. Very important to start baking in a COLD OVEN!. And the baking time is LONG! No icing needed. Or wanted!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  Crisco, and
• 1  cup margarine
• 3  cups flour
• 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk, and
• 3  ounces water (enough water to total 1 cup with the milk)
• 5  eggs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons  flavoring (of your choice)
• 1  cup  chopped  nuts (not too fine)
• 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved

Directions

1. Cream Crisco, margarine, sugar and salt.
2. Add eggs one at a time and beat.
3. Add flour and milk alternately, ending with flour.
4. Add flavoring. Add nuts. Add cherries cut in half.
5. Bake in greased and floured tube pan or Bundt pan.
6. Bake 1 hour and 45 minutes (or longer) at 300 oven.
7. START IN COLD OVEN. DO NOT OPEN DOOR WHILE BAKING.
8. Remove from pan immediately. Do not ice.