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Chef Ava

Old-Fashioned War Cake

A nostalgic old-fashioned raisin cake made without eggs or butter, featuring brown sugar, shortening, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice for a moist, tender, warmly spiced dessert.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 315
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound seedless raisins
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons shortening
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • large pot
  • Mixing utensil
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Toothpick

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large pot, combine the raisins, water, brown sugar, shortening, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.
  5. Stir in the baking soda, vanilla extract, and lemon extract.
  6. Fold in the flour just until combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Let the cake cool before slicing and serving.

Notes

Allow the raisin mixture to cool completely before adding the flour. Do not overmix the batter. Let the finished cake cool before slicing for cleaner pieces. Store tightly covered at room temperature for several days or refrigerate for a firmer texture.