2 cups brown sugar
2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup shortening or butter
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup raisins
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
1/3 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Combine sugar, flour and shortening/butter until mixture is crumbly. Remove 2/3 cup of this mixture and save for topping.

To the remainder of this mixture, add beaten egg and baking soda which has been dissolved in buttermilk, sour cream or yogurt.

Combine with raisins and rum. Soak for 5 minutes, then add spices, beat well. Pour into greased cake pan and sprinkle crumb mixtures over the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until cake is evenly browned on top.