Spiced Raisin Gem Cakes

Ingredients

• ½ cup shortening
• 2 cups brown sugar
• grated rind of 1 lemon
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 1 lb seeded raisins
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• dash of cloves
• dash of nutmeg
• 1½ cups water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Method

1. 1 Boil raisins in 1½ cups water for 20 minutes, then drain, reserving the liquid.
2. 2 Mix shortening, sugar, lemon rind, eggs, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. 3 Add 1 cup flour and the hot drained raisins to the mixture.
4. 4 Stir in the remaining 2 cups flour and ½ cup reserved raisin water.
5. 5 Dissolve baking soda in the liquid before adding, or mix thoroughly into batter.
6. 6 Pour batter into gem pans and bake in a moderate oven (350°F) until done.