in the kitchen: Romanian Buttermilk Spice Cake

There are recipes that I always prefer when my mom makes them — meatballs, pot roast, and buttermilk spice cake to name a few.  I don’t know what it is about these dishes, but there’s some magic mom dust that just makes them better than when I try my hand at them.  But being “fara mama” (without mom) in Romania and with a husband who adores spice cake, time had come to give it a try.  So this was a first shot.  The cake itself is really tasty.  The frosting isn’t really — it’s too sweet and not as stiff as it should be — think maybe the zahar pudra (powdered sugar) isn’t the same as confectioner’s sugar at home.  Although, David, bless him, bought the entire town out of the stuff, going out three different times to multiple little magazins  So, still it’s not as good as mom’s but  it hit the spot as a reminder from home.   I miss you, spice cake.  Miss you too, Mom!  (tee hee)