1 1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. dark seedless raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 c. hot water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 c. all-purpose flour

Combine first 8 ingredients; reserve 1 teaspoon hot water. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Dissolve soda in remaining teaspoon hot water; add to mixture with flour. Stir until well blended. Turn into loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Turn out of baking pan onto rack. Let cool. Slice thinly.