Civil War Cake

Someone was looking for a cake that didn't have any milk in it. Well I found this one of my mothers. It is got to be over 67 years old. It is really good it tastes like a spice cake. Civil War Cake (or-Eggless, Butterless, Milkless Cake)

• Ready In: 1 hr 23 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb raisins
• 2  cups water
• 2  cups sugar (1 white & 1 brown)
• 1  cup shortening
• 4 1⁄2 cups cake flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons cinnamon
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon clove
• 1  cup  nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Combine raisins, sugar, 1 cup of water, shortening, salt & spices in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then cool till lukewarm, then add the other cp of water.
3. Dissolve soda in 2 teas.
4. of water, set aside. Stir sifted & measured flour into raisin mixture & beat until smooth.
5. Add dissolved soda last. Pur into greased floured 13x9 [am & bale 50-55 min.
6. at 350 degrees.
7. It may also be cooked in a tube pan.
8. Serve with whipped cream or caramel frosting.
9. Combine 3/4 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup of water 1/2 tsp salt in a saucepan.
10. Cook 6 min.
11. stirring often.
12. Cool to lukewarm and stir in 3 Tbsp.
13. of butter.
14. Then gradually stir in 21/4 cups of sifted confectionery sugar, beating until smooth.
15. Stir in 1 teas.
16. vanilla and spread on cake. You will be surprised how good it taste with such little ingredients.