Civil War Cake
Civil War Cake is a rich, fruit-filled dessert with warm spices and nuts, perfect for historical celebrations or cozy gatherings with deep, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine apples, brown sugar, shortening, raisins, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- Sift together flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Stir in chopped nuts.
- Add the cooled apple mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring only to blend.
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured tube pan or two loaf pans.
- Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moister cake, consider using a mix of fresh apples and applesauce. If you don't have shortening, butter or coconut oil can be substituted. To enhance the flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract or a handful of dried cranberries. This recipe can be made vegan by using a plant-based shortening and replacing eggs with a flaxseed mixture.
Serving Suggestions
This Civil War Cake is delightful on its own, but you can enhance it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It pairs beautifully with Aunt Bebe'S Bean Bowl for a hearty meal. For a cozy touch, serve with a cup of spiced tea or coffee.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, slice and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave for about 20 seconds until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Civil War Cake contains roughly 966 calories, with 8g protein, 149g carbohydrates, and 52g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (119% of the Daily Value), iron (67% of the Daily Value), and calcium (53% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1850mg per serving (80% 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 a different type of fruit in this cake?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for apples, you can substitute with pears or even mashed bananas for a different flavor profile. Just keep in mind that the moisture content may vary, so adjust the dry ingredients if necessary.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version of the Civil War Cake, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free. This will maintain the texture and flavor while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
Is it possible to reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar by up to half without significantly affecting the cake's texture. Consider using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, adjusting the liquid content slightly to maintain the right batter consistency. Just be aware that it may alter the final flavor.
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).