2 c. sugar
2 c. water
3/4 c. lard
1 c. raisins
1 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 c. flour
1 c. walnuts
1 c. currants
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Put the sugar, water, lard, fruit, and spices together in a saucepan and cook for 5 minutes. Let cool a little and then add 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in a little hot water. Add the baking powder and salt to the flour and sift the flour into the cooled mixture; add the walnuts; beat well, and bake in a slow 45 to 50 minutes. This is a large cake and keeps a long time.