World War I Cake

Makes 4 loaves • From the kitchen of Valerie Smith

Ingredients

4 cups white sugar
4 cups raisins
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons all spice
1 tablespoon salt
6 cups flour
1 cup currants
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup cherries cut in half*

Directions

1. In the evening, mix the together the first 9 ingredients in a large pot.

2. Bring 4 cups water to a boiling point. Pour hot water over mixture and boil for 5 minutes.

3. Let stand overnight to cool.

4. Next morning preheat oven to 325 degrees.

5. Sift together twice the flour and baking soda, and stir into cold mixture. Add currants and cherries.

6. Pour into 4 loaf pans and bake for about 1 1/2 hours.

7. Cool completely then wrap in tinfoil.

Note: I used green and red cherries.