southern jam cake.

Truth be told, I am quite speechless at this moment. I have had this window open for the past thirty minutes, trying to come up with words to say regarding this cake I baked this afternoon. But now it is after three-in-the-morning and I am sleepy and drugged on a sort of calm euphoria from the outcome of the election.

So, what can I say? This is a cake that has been baked in America for over a century, which is why it seemed like a nice sweet treat for Election Day. It is spicy, fruity, and good either with frosting or just topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.



Southern Jam Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup raisins or chopped dates, optional
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup berry jam
1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, soda, salt, and spices. Sift a little of the flour mixture over the nuts and raisins or dates. In a mixing bowl, cream butter; gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and jam. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Beat until smooth after each addition. Fold in nuts and raisins or dates.

Pour into three 9-inch layer cake pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Spread a buttercream or cream cheese icing between layers and over cake.

Note: I cut the recipe in half and divided it between one 9-inch cake pan and a small heart-shaped pan.