War Cake
This recipe is believed to have originated during the Civil War, and was later revived during the Great Depression, becoming popular again during World War II, when dairy products were rationed. The cake contains no butter, eggs or milk. The topping, which does contain dairy products, is a more modern innovation.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon each of cloves,
- allspice, and salt
- 1 cup dark raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons cream
- 1/2 cup coconut
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cold water, shortening, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, raisins, and walnuts. Bring to a boil, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool for 15 minutes. Add the flour and baking soda. Pour into baking pan, and bake 25-30 minutes, until the center is done. Do not over-bake or the cake will be too dry !
Topping : Preheat oven to broil. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, cream, and coconut. Spread over warm cake. Broil 2-3 minutes about 6" from heat, until the topping bubbles and starts to brown. Do not burn !