Poor Man'S Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
2 cups raisins
1 cup lard (original recipe calls for lard, don't know if shortening will work)
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon clove
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)

Preparation

Boil together all ingredients.
Add water just enough water to cover raisins.
Boil until raisins are tender.
Cool.
Add 1 t baking soda and enough Unbleached flour to make a stiff batter.
Pour batter into 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake in moderate oven until cake springs back when touched lightly (about 1 hour at 350 degrees F).
Serve warm or cold with cream, custard sauce or powdered sugar frosting.
Walnuts may be added to batter just before baking.