Poor Man's Cake

• 1 box raisins (boiled in 3 cups of water, drain, cool slightly and reserve liquid )
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 level teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 level teaspoons allspice
• 2 level teaspoons ground cloves
• 2 cups of the raisin juice
• 2 level teaspoons baking soda (add to raisin juice)
• Enough flour to stiffen (approx. 3+ cups)
• 1 pound sugared dates, chopped
• 1 large jar maraschino cherries, halved
• ½ cup to 1 cup walnut meats, medium chopped (Black or English Walnuts ok)

Take drained raisins, sugar, salt and butter and mix together. Add 2 cups raisin juice, and all spices. Mix. Slowly add flour and mix well. Fold in fruits.

Pour into greased and floured angel food pan or bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees for approx. 2 hours.

This cake can be baked without all the fruits added. It makes a very rich, dark spice cake.

***This is why it was named "Poor Man's Cake". During the holiday season, the fruits were added to create this fruit cake that is like nothing you can buy in a store. This recipe can be traced back about 6 generations in my family, and is truly a Pennsylvania Dutch treat. Enjoy!***

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