Grandma’s Christmas Cake

Name: Grandma's Christmas Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 16 servings (2-2/3 cups sauce).
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 2 cups raisins; 2 cups water; 1 cup butter, cubed; 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cloves; 1 cup chopped pecans; BRANDY BUTTER SAUCE:; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 cup butter, cubed; 1 cup sugar; 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup brandy

One bite of this old-fashioned spice cake will start everyone reminiscing. Chock full of raisins and nuts, it tastes extra special drizzled with a rich, buttery sauce. —Linda Stemen, Monroeville, Indiana

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
2 cups raisins
2 cups water
1 cup butter, cubed
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cloves
1 cup chopped pecans
BRANDY BUTTER SAUCE:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup sugar
4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 cup brandy

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, raisins, water and butter. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add raisin mixture; beat until blended. Fold in pecans.
Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° until cake springs back when lightly touched, 45-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
For sauce, in a large saucepan, bring cream to a boil; stir in butter and sugar until smooth. Reduce heat; stir a small amount of hot liquid into egg yolks. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook until sauce is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in brandy. Serve warm with cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice with about 3 tablespoons sauce: 624 calories, 35g fat (19g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 271mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Grandma's Christmas Cake in Country Woman December/January 2009

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cyndeemacphee

Aug 28, 2014

We really enjoyed this with little change really. I only added bacon bits on top and a few sprinkles of parsley as well. Thanks for the lovely recipe:)