2 c. water
1/2 c. lard
1 lb. puffed raisins
2 c. sugar

Cook together 10 minutes, then cool. Add 3 1/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, add spices to taste: cloves, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. Bake very slowly for 1 hour or until cake springs back on the touch, 325 degree oven approximately.

NOTE: Hazel's great grandfather was born while his parents were traveling by wagon train on the "Old Oregon Trail" on their way to a new area in the state of Washington. This recipe is one that contained ingredients that were easy to get and was a good old standby with my grandmother. It is a cake that stays very fresh and is good to the last - but it doesn't usually last long.

Hazel Magor, friend of: