Civil War Cake (Old-Fashioned Recipe
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups brown sugar
2 eggs
Just under 1 cup shortening
1 cup cold brewed coffee
2 teaspoons baking soda (dissolved in the coffee)
3 cups chopped raw apples
½ cup chopped nuts
2 cups raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
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Instructions:
1. Cream the Base:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, eggs, and shortening until light and fluffy.
2. Add Coffee Mixture:
Stir in the cold brewed coffee with the dissolved baking soda. Mix well to combine.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
4. Mix Everything Together:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully incorporated.
5. Fold in the Fruits and Nuts:
Gently mix in the chopped apples, raisins, and nuts until evenly distributed.
6. Prepare to Bake:
Pour the batter into a large greased baking pan (11×15 inches).
Alternatively, you can use a jelly roll pan (for a thinner cake with shorter bake time) or a bundt pan.
7. Bake:
Bake in a slow oven at 325°F (163°C) for at least 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
If using a bundt pan, check for doneness around the 45-minute mark.
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Notes:
This dense, spiced cake is rich with fruit and flavor, perfect for cooler seasons or a nostalgic treat.
It’s a great example of old-fashioned baking that has stood the test of time.
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Let me know if you’d like a modernized version or a printable format!
