Nells Irish Boiled Cake Recipes

BOILED CAKE (AKA DEPRESSION CAKE, WAR CAKE, POOR MAN'S CAKE)

Steps:

• In a saucepan combine shortening, water, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and sugar. Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until COMPLETELY cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, a Bundt pan, or 9 x 5-inch 2 loaf pans. Set aside.
• Stir the flour and baking soda into the cooled raisin mixture and mix until just combined and flour is mostly incorporated.
• Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes for a 9 x 13-inch pan or until the top of the cake is just firm to the touch. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Traditionally served un-frosted.

BOILED FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Melt the sugar, butter and 225ml water in a large saucepan. Once melted, add the raisins, sultanas, currants and mixed peel. Bring to a gentle boil, and stirring occasionally, cook until reduced and softened, around 10-15 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to room temperature.
• Tip the flour, mixed spice, bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt into a large bowl. Add the cooled fruit mixture and stir, then add the eggs and mix to combine. Bake for 45-55 mins until dark brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into slices to serve.