Dried Fruit Spoon Cake

What can I say -- This is just a nice, homey kind of dessert that is great hot or cooled!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 25

Ingredients

• For the filling

• 1  cup dark raisin
• 1  cup dried plum, cut into halves
• 1  cup  dried apricot, cut into halves
• 1  cup  dried pears, cut into quarters
• 1  cup dried cranberries
• 2  cups hot water
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice

• For the pastry

• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup milk, cold

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, & grease a 9" square baking dish.
2. Place all the fruits, plus the water, sugar, lemon juice & allspice in a medium saucepan.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium & cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, cover & set aside.
5. For the pastry, cream together by hand, the sugar & soft butter.
6. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder & salt, then add this mixture, alternately with the cold milk, to the butter mixture.
7. Spread the batter in the greased baking dish & spoon the hot fruit & its liquid over the batter.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cake tests done.