Christmas Gift from the Kitchen - Boiled Cake or War Cake

Boiled Cake or War Cake Ingredients One pound seedless raisins Two heaping tablespoons of lard or shortening One teaspoon ground cloves One teaspoon ground cinnamon Two teaspoons salt Two cups white sugar Two cups boiling water One and a half teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in boiling hot water Three cups all purpose flour One cup candied mix peel and fruit One cup chopped nuts Combine raisins, lard or shortening, cloves, cinnamon , salt, sugar and water in a saucepan and boil for five minutes. Pour the boiled ingredients into a large mixing bowl and add the baking soda mixed with a little hot water and stir into the mix. Add three cups of flour and mix well add the candied fruit and chopped nuts and mix well. Prepare loaf pans by buttering and flouring them and fill them one half to three quarters full with the batter . Bake in a 300 degree F oven until a cake tester comes out clean time will vary depending on the size of your pans. I lay a sheet of foil loosely over the top of the pond to prevent the top of the cake from burning. A large loaf pan will likely take two hours or longer to bake. Cool on a cake rack after removing from the pan then wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature in a cake tin or plastic bag for two to three weeks before cutting.