Raisin Tea Cake

Raisin Tea Cake
Raisin Tea Cake
Mary Tuohy, a Cappagh, County Tyrone, native who now lives in Redbank, New Jersey, has been making this raisin tea cake for so long that she can almost do it from memory. She says, "I can't remember where the recipe came from, but we used to bake it over an open turf fire back home. It came to me on a piece of dilapidated paper, which I still have." It's a very moist cake, she says, nearly foolproof. "You can't go wrong with it."
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Serves 8
Irish Cake Fruit Dessert Bake St. Patrick's Day Raisin Winter Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 two-inch cinnamon stick, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon allspice berries
  • 3 cups raisins
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • Carbohydrate 106 g(35%)
  • Cholesterol 51 mg(17%)
  • Fat 13 g(20%)
  • Fiber 4 g(16%)
  • Protein 8 g(15%)
  • Saturated Fat 8 g(39%)
  • Sodium 503 mg(21%)
  • Calories 550

Preparation The day before baking, make the mixed spice: In a spice grinder, combine the coriander seeds, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Grind until powdery. Pour into an airtight container. Add nutmeg and ginger and mix well. Measure out 1 level tablespoon and store the remainder in a cool place for later use. Combine the mixed spice with the water, raisins, butter, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let the raisin mixture sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 9-inch round cake pan. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together into a large bowl. Stir in the raisin mixture and blend well. Stir in the egg. Pour into the prepared pan. Place on the center rack of the oven with a pan of water. Bake until the cake is lightly browned and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours. The Irish Heritage Cookbook Chronicle Books