Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Pans: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake tins, making sure to tap out any excess flour. This step ensures that your cakes will release beautifully once baked.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. This not only combines your dry ingredients but also aerates the flour, resulting in a lighter cake.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry ingredients, add the shortening, vanilla, and half of the milk. With an electric whisk or by hand, beat the mixture for 2 minutes. This initial beating helps to incorporate the shortening evenly throughout the flour, creating a smooth batter.
4. Incorporate Egg: Add the remaining milk and the egg to your batter, then beat for another 2 minutes. This second addition of liquid helps to create a batter with the perfect consistency for a tender crumb.
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or the cakes spring back when lightly touched. This ensures your layers are baked to perfection.
6. Cool: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes before turning them out onto the rack to cool completely. This cooling period allows the cakes to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle.
7. Assemble: Once cooled, place one layer on a plate, bottom side up. Spread a generous layer of raspberry preserves over the cake. Top with the second layer, top side up, to create that classic layer cake look.
8. Finish with Icing Sugar: Sift icing sugar over the top of the cake for a simple yet elegant finish. This not only adds sweetness but also a beautiful, professional touch to your dessert.

Notes:

• Homemade Cake Flour: If you don’t have cake flour on hand, you can make your own by removing 1 tablespoon of flour per cup and replacing it with 1 tablespoon of corn flour or corn starch. Whisk well to ensure it’s thoroughly combined.

The Washington Cream Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of history, a nod to the simple pleasures that baking can bring into our lives. Whether you’re continuing a long-standing family tradition or trying this recipe for the first time, the joy of baking and sharing this cake is a heartwarming reminder of the bonds that food can forge. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a dessert that’s sure to be remembered fondly.