This recipe belonged to my Grandmother. She always made it around Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also called it her cheap fruit cake.

I can remember her making the cakes and the aroma that filled her house was something that can't be forgotten.

Cream together at high speed:

1 stick butter (or Crisco) with 2 cups sugar

Combine:

1/2 c. boiling water with 1 tsp. baking soda

Let this cool.

Blend into the butter (or Crisco) mixture at low speed:

1 1/2 c. thick unsweetened applesauce

Sift together:

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice

Add flour mixture and soda water alternately to the above.

Add to top of cake:

1/2 c. raisins

Pour batter into a greased and floured pan (tube).

Bake one hour at 350°F degrees. I try to freeze enough applesauce and don't sweeten it just for this cake at Christmas.

Black walnuts are a delicious addition, but can be hard to find.