Boiled Raisin Cake

This is an old-fashioned cake that my grandmother used to make quite often.  It was passed down through her family.  As it bakes, the spices fill the house. You know something good is going to come out of the oven. You can frost this cake with Brown Sugar Frosting, or eat it plain.  Either way, this cake is delicious.

Ingredients

2 c. raisins
3 c. water
1 c. sugar *You can use brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or shortening or half butter and half shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 c. flour
1 1/2 c. walnuts, chopped (optional)

Brown Sugar Frosting

1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. butter
3 Tbs. milk
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch cake pan.

In a medium saucepan, combine raisins and water together.  Bring to a boil and boil until raisins are tender. Remove the raisins and continue to boil the liquid until there is 1 cup liquid.  If you boil it down too much, add some extra water to make 1 cup. You can also use coffee. Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and butter until fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.  Stir in raisins and the reserved raisin water. 

Mix in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, all spice, soda, and baking powder. Gradually add flour, stirring until combined.  Stir in nuts.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool. Prepare the frosting if desired.

In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and milk.  Stirring constantly, cook until the sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and pour into a mixing bowl. Set aside to cool completely.

Add the powdered sugar into the cooled brown sugar mixture.  Mix until the frosting becomes the right consistency for spreading over the cake. You can add more powdered sugar if you need it thicker, or if you want a thinner frosting, add a little milk, beating until you have the right consistency.  

Frost the cake. Serve and enjoy.