Spanish Bar Cake

This is the cake that the old A & P Grocery Stores used to sell.

4 cups water
2 cups raisins
1 cup shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Add water to raisins and boil for 10 minutes.

Add shortening and allow to cool.

Sift together sugar, baking soda, flour, spices and salt and add nuts.

To dry ingredients, add cooled raisin mixture and blend well. Add beaten eggs and stir well. Bake in two 13 x 10-inch pans for 35 minutes. Frost with confectioners' sugar icing if desired.