Boiled Cake ( Poor Man'S Fruitcake) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (Crisco)
1 -2 lb raisins (and or 1 lb. diced dates)
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water (1/2 cup brandy can be used)
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup walnuts (coarsely chopped)

Preparation

Boil sugar, shortening, raisins, salt, and water (do not boil dates). Add dry ingredients, dates and walnuts to the boiled mixture. Bake at 325* in (2) 8\"x8\"x2\" pans or in (1) 13\"x9\"x2\" pan for 60-75 minutes. Allow to cool and divide into 4 \"loaves\". Wrap well and store. Serve sliced and plain or with hard sauce. This cake will stay moist for many months, but keeps best when moistened with rum or brandy.