1858 English Spiced Cake

⏱ 200 mins 🍽 6 loaves 🏷 Dessert

This is a traditional English spiced cake recipe dating back to 1858, discovered in an old church cookbook. It creates six loaves packed with dried fruits like currants and raisins, and is flavoured with nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and mace. The method involves creaming shortening with sugar and eggs, then combining with the dry ingredients, milk, and molasses. The cakes bake slowly for a long period, resulting in a richly spiced dessert ideal for festive occasions.

1858 English Spiced Cake

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs flour
  • 1 lb currants
  • 1 lb raisins
  • 1 lb sugar
  • 1 lb shortening
  • 3 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon clove
  • 1 teaspoon mace
  • 1/2 lb orange rind or 1/2 lb citrus peel
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method

  1. Set your oven to heat to 250*.
  2. Beat the shortening together with the sugar and eggs until creamy.
  3. In a deep bowl, sift the flour with the cream of tartar and baking powder.
  4. Mix the dried fruits, all the spices, and the salt into the dry ingredients.
  5. Combine the creamed shortening mixture with the bowl of dry ingredients.
  6. Stir in the milk along with the molasses, which has been mixed with the baking soda.
  7. Transfer the batter into greased loaf pans and place in the oven to bake for 3 hours.

Nutrition (per serving)

Sodium644600 mg

Recipe details

CategoryDessert
AuthorKaren=^..^=