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ALMOST A&P BAR CAKE

Source of Recipe

News Paper Clipping


Recipe Introduction

Anyone who shopped in an A&P Supermarket, which used to have stores in the Chicago area, remembers its signature cake: Spanish Bar Spice Cake. As the name indicates, it was a bar shape with a dense texture. It was heavy and moist and well flavored with spices and raisins, and frosted with a buttercream or cream cheese frosting. It was wonderful! The recipe that follows may rekindle memories for some readers. Although it doesn't have the classic log shape, it is generously spicy and fruity. - Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper Swap Shop, November, 1989

List of Ingredients

4 cups water
2 cups raisins
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 tsps. baking soda
4 cups flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts
2 eggs, beaten



Recipe

Add water to raisins and simmer in medium pot 10 minutes. Add shortening and allow mixture to cool. In large bowl, sift together sugar, baking soda, flour, spices and salt. Stir in nuts, if desired. Add cooled raisin mixture to flour mixture and blend well. Add beaten eggs and stir well.

Pour batter into 9x13 inch pan and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Cool completely. Frost, if desired. Makes about 20 to 24 servings.


CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

4 tbsps. cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg white

Beat all ingredients together until smooth.