Recipes

Poor Man's Cake II

Name: Poor Man's Cake II
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cold water; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 cups raisins; 0.5 cup lard; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves; 1.75 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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This cake often appeared on the Sunday dinner table during the depression and the war years. It's been in my family for three generations. During the olden days, many families could not afford the luxury of the traditional fruitcakes, so this recipe became the popular Christmas fruitcake of the poor.

Recipe by Doreen MacKay

Updated on July 14, 2022

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

1 hrs 40 mins

Total Time:

1 hrs 50 mins

Servings:

18

Yield:

1 9x13-inch cake

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 cup cold water
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups raisins
½ cup lard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9 x 13 inch pan.
Place cold water, brown sugar, raisins, lard, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a large saucepan. Bring this combination to a boil. Let simmer for a full 6 minutes, then allow mixture to cool to lukewarm. Set aside.
In small mixing bowl, combine flour and soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the cooled mixture. Add vanilla, and blend into batter. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 90 to 120 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool. Store for at least a week before cutting. This cake will remain moist for months.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

192	Calories
6g	Fat
34g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 18
Calories 192
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g	8%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 5mg	2%
Sodium 140mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 34g	12%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg	2%
Calcium 21mg	2%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 151mg	3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.