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Poor Man's Cake Recipe (No Eggs or Butter)

A vintage recipe from the 1930s, when certain ingredients were scarce. Poor Man's Cake is made without eggs or butter, but it's subtly sweet flavor brightened with walnuts and raisins makes it a real treat!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword bundt cake, cake
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 351kcal
Author Sara Garska
Cost $5

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • mixing bowl
  • bundt cake pan

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup seedless raisins
  • 1 cup lard
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups cold water

Dry Ingredients

  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tsp soda
  • 1/2 cup black walnuts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a saucepan, combine the raisins, lard, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for five minutes.
    cooking lard, raisins, and water in saucepan
  • Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, allspice, nutmeg, baking soda, and walnuts.
    flour and walnuts in mixing bowl
  • Add the wet ingredients and stir until completely combined.
  • Grease a Bundt-type pan with cooking spray and add the batter.
    poor mans cake batter in bundt pan
  • Bake for approximately one hour and check to see if it is done. Do not over bake.
  • Optional: Frost with a simple glaze made from confectioners’ sugar and milk.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg