We had Shagbark Hickory trees near us in Wisconsin and we would pick up huge bags every year. I loved them and truly miss having them to cook with -- just like walnuts or pecans.
The following is a cake I made for publication when I worked for a magazine. As I recall it was very good. I love hickory nuts and would love to be able to make this cake again.

Grandma’s Hickory Nut Cake

Cake:
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup butter
3 eggs
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
2-1/2 cups flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup hickory nuts, chopped
(reserve a few halves for garnish)

Penuche Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk OR cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
(1/2 cup hickory nuts, if desired)

Cream together sugar and butter for cake.
Add eggs; beat on medium speed of mixer for
2 minutes. Mix dry ingredients together lightly
with fork. Add dry ingredients, alternating with
milk. Mix well. Stir in Vanilla and nuts.
Pour into a greased and floured 13" x 9" pan.
Bake at 325º F for 45-50 minutes.
(The cake may also be baked in 8" layer pans.)
Cool.

Make frosting by melting the butter in medium
sauce pan. Add brown sugar; boil 2 minutes.
Add milk; bring to boil. Remove from heat; cool
to lukewarm. Beat in confectioners sugar and vanilla.
(You may add 1/2 cup chopped hickory nuts,
if desired) Frost the cake; and sprinkle on any
reserved nuts for garnish.

Yield 16 servings

"A Taste of Country" 1988 Reiman Publishing
Evelyn Kennell of Roanoke, IL was the original contributor.

Every evening on his way home from his office, a doctor stopped at a local bar for a drink and he always had an almond daiquiri. Because the doctor was such a good customer, Dick, the bartender, always had it ready for him when he walked in the door.

One evening the bartender saw the doctor coming. When he went to make the daiquiri, he realized that he was all out of almonds, but he found some hickory nuts. "Oh, well, he’ll never know the difference," thought the bartender. So he makes the daiquiri with hickory nuts instead.

The doctor sits down, takes a sip, and looks a little puzzled and says to the bartender, "Hey is this an almond daiquiri, Dick?" "No," says the bartender with a smile. "It’s a hickory daiquiri, Doc.