My mother used to make this Depression-era treat, which she called Hobo Cake, on the spur of the moment. The ingredients always could be found in her pantry. It made a terrific little cake with rich flavor, great texture, and an irresistible broiled coconut topping. It didn’t even require a mixer.
Ingredients
For the cake:
2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
For the frosting:
6 tablespoons melted butter
⅔ cup brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
1 cup moist, shredded coconut
½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan. Stir together flour, soda, and walnuts in a small bowl.
In a medium saucepan, combine raisins, water, sugar, butter and spices. Bring to a boil, then let cool for 5-10 minutes. Stir in flour and walnut mixture with a wooden spoon just until all the flour disappears into the batter. Scrape batter into prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 25 minutes, until a small, sharp knife comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake.
Just before the cake is done, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, cream, coconut and vanilla in a small saucepan until sugar melts and ingredients are thoroughly blended.
Switch oven temperature to broil. Spread frosting mixture evenly over top of warm cake and slide under broiler, watching carefully so the topping browns nicely but does not burn.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 9
Recipe by THE SKILLET CHRONICLES at https://www.skilletchronicles.com/content/a-parting-gift/