One of my favourite ways to enjoy raisins is actually so straight forward its instructions can't even be called a real recipe: simply smear however much plain cream cheese you like on bread, a bagel, crackers, etc and sprinkle over a handful of raisins and, should you like, shelled sunflower seeds, too (I could eat that combo until the cows come home!).
Today's vintage recipe for Honey Pound Cake - which originally appeared in the December 1944 edition of National Home Monthly magazine - calls for nine ingredients and is a somewhat more traditional use of these charming little dehydrated grapes.
{Honey and raisins mingle beautifully in this timelessly appealing 1940s cake recipe, which has a great cold weather vibe to it. Image via jbcurio on Flickr.}
Humans have harnessed the power of the sun to dry various fruits for thousands of years, one of the earliest of which is believed to be the grape. While not everyone adores raisins, many people do, which helps to explain widespread use (in both sweet and savoury dishes) and continued popularity. In simple to make loaf cakes like this they add flavour, texture, and a hint of moisture - as well as pops of dark colour in each delectable slice.
This cake sounds perfectly fine as it stands now, but (in a nod to raisin studded cinnamon buns) I'd most likely add a teaspoon of cinnamon, and perhaps a dash of nutmeg for extra spice. Alternatively, dried ginger or even cardamom would be lovely - and wholly aromatic - as well.
With each reading of this terrific 1940s recipe (which of course you can use butter or margarine in place of the shortening for), the more I keep thinking that a generous grating of orange zest (in lieu of the lemon extract, and perhaps in combination with some cinnamon) would be flat out fantastic here, too.
Cakes like this are excellent for those times - like an afternoon coffee break or relaxed weekend breakfast on a chilly winter morn - when you want a touch of sweetness, but not a full on sugar laden dessert.
It’s shape and compact crumb means it transports (and freezes) well, making Honey Pound Cake a delightful gift to bring your favourite hostess the next time you're invited over for dinner - assuming of course, she's a raisin fan.
