1 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 c. raisins
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
lard (the size of an egg)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, raisins, lard or shortening, the cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cocoa and salt. Bring all to a boil, then cool. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease and flour a tube pan; set aside. To the cooled raisin mixture, add baking soda that has been dissolved in a little warm water. Stir together the flour and baking powder and add to raisin mixture. Beat well by hand and turn batter into the greased tube pan.

Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.