Spice cake is one of my favorites. Like most cakes, it doesn’t travel all that well and it’s hard to control my portions. (“I’ll just cut a small-ish piece…”). I’m still trying to lose weight, so I like to have something I can just grab one of and it’s forced to be pre-measured. Not to say I don’t eat my fair share of cake, but that’s a whole other conversation.
This is another recipe from Taste of Home magazine (Taste of Home Five Star Desserts), which I highly recommend. No, I don’t have any affiliation with them, but I do like them.
In a small bowl, combine 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl (that’s your mixer bowl), beat 3 eggs.
Add 2 cups packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Mix well.
Add flour mixture gradually and mix.
Stir in 1 cup raisins and 1 cup chopped nuts. For nuts, the recipe calls for walnuts. I didn’t have any, so I put pecans in and I think I liked them better.
Drop by tablepoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes or until surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Once cooked, they’re kind of crispy on the outside and very chewy on the inside. I actually found them quite good. I shared them and was told that this is very similar to an actual German recipe, and someone even told me he hadn’t had these cookies in 30 years, when his mother used to bake them. They were definitely a hit, and I’ll be making them again.
I read the recipe to my mother and she said she didn’t even want to try them. I think at some point I’ll make them again, take her some, and not tell her what’s in them… I think she’ll like them. The pepper does sound a little strange, and cloves normally have a super strong flavor but they really work in this cookie. Try them, and share your results.
See you next time!
I'll Have A Slice 