War Cake Recipe

{War-time cake recipe}
Mix in saucepan:1 cup brown sugar1 1/4 cups water1/3 cup shortening (or lard)2 cups raisins (optional, can also use nuts)1/2 tsp nutmeg2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cloves
Boil for 3 minutes, let cool, then add:
1 tsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 2 tsp water. 
In a separate bowl combine 2 cups sifted flour with 1 tsp baking soda. 
Gradually add dry mixture to pan, until batter forms. Pour into greased bread pan and bake for 50 minutes at 325 degrees. 

Today I started Our Mothers' War and came across a recipe for "War-time Cake". It was a recipe that worked around the restrictions of rationing, though similar cakes were created during the depression. If you use vegetable shortening and not lard, this cake is vegan, but you'd never know! 
I nixed the raisins, as plain cake is much more appealing to me, especially in loaf form (zucchini "bread", pumpkin "bread"). Though I'm sure raisins or craisins would be a great addition. 
Enjoy!