Merry Christmas (with recipe):

[mary_j_59]

A merry Christmas to all who celebrate - and a festive Kwanzaa, and belated happy Hanukkah, Islamic New Year, winter Solstice, Diwali, or whatever you celebrate! Posting in haste - must clean, pack, and get up home! But I decided to share grandma's raisin cake recipe, as written down by my mom. In our family for three generations now, and too good not to share! Grandma's fruitcake recipe is similar, but calls for nuts, mixed peel, cherries, liquor (sherry, generally) and a dozen eggs - otherwise, triples all the ingredients. The recipe follows:
Grandma's Raisin Cake:
Cover package of raisins with water & bring to boil. Simmer about 20 minutes.Cool and drain - save liquid. (Note - I got nearly 2 cups, which is a bit much - you want a bit over a cup. You can add a tablespoon or so of sherry to the batter.)
Cream margarine (stick and a half) and sugar (2 cups or more).
Add 3 eggs - mix.
In separate bowl, mix 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour with 1 tablespoon nutmeg, 1 cinnamon, 1 mace, 1 1/2 teaspoon cloves, & 1 teaspoon salt.
Add 1 teaspoon soda to raisin liquid. Mix well and add to egg mixture.
Mix flour and spices with egg mixture.
Add raisins.
Bake at 350 for an hour or more. This will make two 8 or 9 inch cakes. Nuts are optional.