Description
Dive into a nostalgic slice of Spanish Bar Cake that brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your plate. Packed with warm spices and a tender crumb, this classic dessert delivers pure homemade happiness in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup vegetable shortening or butter
- 1 large egg
Dried Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it and lining with parchment paper.
- Combine 2 cups water and 1 cup raisins in a saucepan. Simmer gently for exactly 10 minutes until raisins are plump.
- Stir ½ cup shortening into the hot raisin mixture. Let the blend cool completely to room temperature.
- Sift 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 cups flour, and all spices (½ teaspoon each of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice) with ½ teaspoon salt.
- Incorporate 1 beaten egg and ½ cup chopped nuts into the cooled raisin mixture.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing the batter.
- Transfer the batter smoothly into the prepared pan, spreading evenly to create a consistent layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes at 325°F, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before considering frosting or serving.
Notes
- Raisin soaking helps soften and distribute the fruit evenly throughout the cake, creating a more tender texture.
- Sifting dry ingredients prevents clumping and ensures a smoother, more consistent cake batter with better spice distribution.
- Gentle folding keeps the cake tender by preventing gluten development, which could make the cake tough and dense.
- Adding chopped walnuts or pecans provides a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor that complements the warm spices in the cake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 219 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 148 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg