This is an easy spice cake from “The Joy of Cooking” made moist and delicious by using a stealthy ingredient: a can of condensed tomato soup. Make it and see if your guests can guess the secret.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 10 3/4-ounce can condensed tomato soup
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup raisins
- Confectioners sugar, optional
- Cooking-oil spray for greasing pan
For the frosting (optional):
- 8 ounces cream cheese, chilled
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
- Grated lemon or orange zest, ground
- cinnamon or any liqueur to taste, optional
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)
793 calories; 34 grams fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 118 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 84 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 69 milligrams cholesterol; 556 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
Serves 8
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the tomato soup in 2 parts. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Spread the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack.
- If you choose to make the frosting, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and sugar in the bowl of a mixer and mix until just smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too stiff, beat for a few seconds longer, being careful not to overbeat it. If you choose, stir in the zest, cinnamon or liqueur.
- To serve, remove the cake from the pan and either sprinkle with powdered sugar or cover with the frosting.
1 hour
Dining and Cooking