Recipe : "War Cake"

"War Cake" got its name because it is a recipe that uses no eggs, no milk, and no butter - all things that were in short supply during the war.  Grampy's recipe does use butter and one egg, but in war time shortening would have been used in place of butter, and you can substitute 2 tbsp cornstarch for one egg in a pinch.  We came to expect a loaf of this cake every Christmas; it became a bit of a joke because so few people actually enjoy dark fruit cakes, but honestly this is pretty good with a cup of tea and spread with butter.


War Cake


2 cups raisins
1 cup dates
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup hot water (may need more)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon extract
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all together in a deep frying pan.  Bring to boil and cook for 7-8 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool.

In a mixing bowl, combine:
1 egg
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

Add cooled mixture and mix well.  Bake in loaf pans 1 1/2 hours at 300 degrees.  Makes 2 or 3 mini loaves.