Ann Davies' Cake

From a Welsh cake recipe collection purchased in Wales in 1992. "Ann Davies was a baker in Kidwelly in south-west Wales at the beginning of the 20th century, famous for her fruit cake. She was apparently prepared to part with her recipe, probably for a small sum, as bakers then did sometimes sell their recipes. This one was much prized by housewifes in south Wales." Te mixed spice, I guess, is something like pumpkin spice mix.

• Ready In: 1 hr 40 mins
• Serves: 2
• Yields: 2 cakes

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs plain flour
• 1 1⁄2 lbs currants
• 1  lb sugar
• 1⁄4 lb butter
• 1⁄2 lb  lard
• 1⁄2 pint milk
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• 1⁄2 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sift all dry ingredients except for the currants together.
3. Rub in the butter and lard.
4. Add the currants.
5. Make a well in the centre, pour in the eggs and mix together, gradually adding the milk, until you have a fairly soft consistency.
6. Grease two cake tins, divide mixture equally between them and bake at 350 F for about 1 1/2 hours.