- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- confectioners' sugar
- Place raisins and hot water in a small bowl; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients except last three. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water; add to batter. Mix well. Drain softened raisins and fold into batter. Pour into a greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 300 degrees F for 40 minutes. If desired, dust top with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm or cold. Store in an airtight container.