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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. To serve, remove the cake from the pan and either sprinkle with powdered sugar or cover with the frosting.

1 hour

Dining and Cooking