This is my adaptation of my grandmother's recipe for a spice cake or a cake with fruit (but not a 'Fruitcake'!!)
It is my
favorite fall/winter recipe!
2 cups seedless raisins, dried cranberries, or diced dried apricots
2 1/4 cups water (you can substitute 1/4 cup of brandy for 1/4 cup of water to get a brandy taste)
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 egss, beaten
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground clove
2 tsp all spice
2 tsp nutmeg (optional because it gives some people heartburn)
3 1/2 cups of flour. (Whole wheat unbleached flour works really well with this recipe.)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
Combine the raisins, spices, and water and simmer to a light boil and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and add oil, then the sugar, and then the eggs followed by the salt and baking soda. Sift in the flour and stir until smooth.
Pour the mixture into a greased 13x9 glass pan. I do not recommend using a larger pan for double recipes, it never ends well. Just use another 13x9.
Bake at 375F in a regular oven or at 350F in a convection oven for around 35-40 minutes (check it at around 30 minutes).
WARNING: Cooking this will make your house smell AWESOME!!!