Are you still snowed in? You just finished clearing the sidewalks and digging out the car yesterday and there's more snow on the way today? There's no eggs in the refrigerator and not much butter or milk either but you're craving something sweet, warm and good for the soul? Boy, have I got just the thing for you!
Raid your baking cupboard for a little flour and brown sugar and hit the spice cabinet for cinnamon and nutmeg; add a little vanilla and some plump sweet raisins and you've practically got it made. This old fashioned recipe starts out with the cake on the bottom and a sweet spicy sugary watery sauce on top and comes out of the oven exactly the opposite - light spongy cake on top with a smooth buttery spicy sauce on the bottom.
It's like magic, honestly! Along with the cinnamon ice cream we used on that fabulous apple pie last week, this is an absolutely to die for bowl of warm yummy goodness. I should know...I just had the last of it for breakfast! By the way, be sure to make it in a large shallow pan - I used a 10 inch quiche pan with 1-1/2 inch sides that I placed on a sheet pan to catch drips - and a good thing I did too. Oh if you're so inclined, you might try adding some walnuts or pecans for a little crunch too!
So what's happening around this neck of the woods you ask? Well, I'm still gimping around and the big guy's gone back to the killing fields for another 3 days of hunting. He's got even more incentive now because his huntin' partner managed to bag one very ugly peccary yesterday while the big guy was back in the city teaching his class. Men...you know how it goes? There seems to be an unwritten law that "one shall not outdo the other". If the big guy has his way, we're doomed to have skunk pig in the freezer by Saturday. Darn! Now what am I gonna' do?
Country Spice Pudding Cake (adapted from Best of Bridge Series Cookbooks, The Best of the Best)
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup milk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, cut into small pieces
2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 375. Spray a shallow 10 inch baking pan (or cast iron skillet) with cooking spray. Using a fork, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, salt and raisins. Add milk and vanilla and combine just until mixed. Do not over-mix or the cake will be tough. Spoon into baking dish and level out as best you can. Batter will be very thick.
In a bowl or large mixing cup, combine brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add boiling water and butter and stir well until butter has melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cake in pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. Makes 6 servings. Download Country Spice Pudding Cake
I've done something similar with chocolate, but this spice cake sounds even better!
Posted by: pam | 02/10/2011 at 08:48 AM
This really sounds quite lovely. I love well spiced sweets and this one sounds terrific. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
Posted by: Mary | 02/10/2011 at 09:22 AM
That looks tasty and deliciious - though I can't imagine running out of those other ingredients in my house as it rarely snows down da bayou...
Posted by: Nanan | 02/10/2011 at 09:49 AM
Pam - Don't ya just love puddin's?
Mary - it's got spice for sure but not overpowering.
Lea - smarty pants! You won't run out of eggs for sure when you're raising your own clucks. As for snow in the bayou - be careful what you say. The weather's been nuts lately. LOL
Posted by: June | 02/10/2011 at 09:58 AM
Wow, this pudding cake looks delicious with all the spices on it :-)
Posted by: Juliana | 02/10/2011 at 05:32 PM
Hey - we did have snow for Christmas one year - I kid you not! I never say never!
Posted by: Nanan | 02/11/2011 at 06:22 PM