Description
This Old-Fashioned War-Time Cake is a moist, spiced dessert featuring a rich raisin and brown sugar mixture simmered to perfection before being baked into a tender cake. Its blend of warm spices and simple pantry ingredients makes it a nostalgic treat harking back to times of resourcefulness and comfort.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Simmer raisin mixture: In a small saucepan, combine water, brown sugar, raisins, and butter. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely to ensure the mixture integrates smoothly with dry ingredients later.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves. This will evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices throughout the cake batter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the cooled raisin mixture into the sifted dry ingredients. Stir gently until the batter is just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cake texture.
- Transfer and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This resting time helps the cake set and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Make sure the raisin mixture is fully cooled before combining with dry ingredients to prevent premature baking reactions and ensure even texture.
- You can substitute raisins with other dried fruits such as currants or chopped dates if preferred.
- Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee and can be served with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American