Depression Spice Cake

Name: Depression Spice Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 2 cups strong coffee (or water or apple juice); 1/2 cup shortening; 2 cups dark raisins (or diced pitted prunes); 1 apple (peeled and shredded); 2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon allspice; 1 teaspoon clove; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1 cup nuts

Submitted by Desperada

"This is an old-fashioned recipe from the Depression days of the 30's. It contains no eggs."

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Ready In:: 1hr
Ingredients:: 13
Serves:: 12

ingredients

2 cups sugar
2 cups strong coffee (or water or apple juice)
¹⁄₂ cup shortening
2 cups dark raisins (or diced pitted prunes)
1 apple (peeled and shredded)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon clove
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup nuts

directions

In a medium saucepan, simmer sugar, coffee, shortening, raisins and apple together for 10 minutes.
Cool 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, all the spices and nuts.
Pour the cooled mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
Pour batter into a greased 13 X 9 inch pan.
Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

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Reviews

I hate to waste ANYTHING, so I was looking for ways to use up left-over coffee. This fit the bill exactly! It is a very moist and dense cake. Quite simple to throw together. I was a bit worried that my liquids were too hot, but after it foamed up and then simmered down, I decided that the liquids had to be fairly warm to dissolve the baking soda. I did make one boo-boo...I grabbed up the ginger instead of all-spice. It was still very good! Next time I think I will cut the cloves to 1/2 teaspoon. It's kind of funny, raisins and nuts must have been cheap during the depression. Now they are pricier items than eggs. Desperada, thanks for a great new recipe! 3/19/08 update: If you make up Aroostook's Lemon Sauce , #87610 and serve it over this cake, it will definitely put it OVER THE TOP!! If the cake and sauce are cold, nuke it for about 30 seconds on high.

Rose is Rose