Church Cake
Church Cake is a moist, flavorful fruit cake featuring raisins, nuts, and warm spices, ideal for church gatherings, holidays, or special occasions with its rich taste and comforting aroma.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook raisins in 2 cups hot water in a large saucepan for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat; add baking soda, cold water, sugar, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and shortening to the saucepan.
- Mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a 13 x 9-inch pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter. If you don't have shortening, you can substitute with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar by half a cup. This Church Cake can also be made with mixed dried fruits for added texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delightful Church Cake as a dessert or a sweet treat with coffee or tea. It pairs wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For a festive touch, consider dusting the top with powdered sugar. This cake also makes a great addition to potlucks or gatherings, alongside dishes like Meal In A Bowl Pasta Salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Church Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Church Cake contains roughly 1917 calories, with 12g protein, 134g carbohydrates, and 161g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (94% of the Daily Value), iron (55% of the Daily Value), and calcium (53% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of nuts in this recipe?
Yes, you can use a variety of nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds based on your preference. Just make sure they are finely chopped to blend well into the cake batter.
Is it possible to make this cake vegan?
Absolutely! To make a vegan version of this Church Cake, replace the shortening with coconut oil and use a flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg substitute. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg needed.
How can I tell when the cake is done baking?
You can check if the Church Cake is done by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, the cake is ready. If there is wet batter on the toothpick, continue baking for a few more minutes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).