Mother-in-Law's Cake Recipe

I haven't posted in over a month, as I've been taking time off, relaxing and enjoying family, friends, foods, places. So, I thought I'd start off, this Labour Day Monday, with a family recipe that was passed down to me by my late great aunt, Matante. She called it "Mother-in-Law's cake", but ironically, she was never married. Didn't matter, this is the best cake you'll sink your teeth into!

CREAM:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs (yolks beaten)
1 tsp. vanilla

SIFT:
2 cups flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp backing soda

ADD dry ingredients with:
1 cup buttermilk. Beat well.

FOLD: 3 stiffly beaten egg whites

Place batter into 2 buttered & floured 9-in. larger cake pans.
Cook 350 degrees, 40 minutes.

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BUTTERMILK ICING
(the best part... you might wish to double this part of the recipe).

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Cook over low heat until soft ball (236 degrees). Beat until spreading consistency.

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Good eating to all! ... Claire.