Grandma’s Christmas Cake

One bite of this old-fashioned spice cake will bring back memories. Loaded with raisins and nuts, it tastes extra special drizzled with the rich buttery sauce.

Grandma’s Christmas Cake

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling
YIELD: 16 servings (2-2/3 cups sauce).

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups raisins
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and cloves
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

  • BRANDY BUTTER SAUCE:
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup brandy

Instructions

  • 1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, raisins, water and butter. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool.
  • 2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add raisin mixture; beat until blended. Fold in pecans.
  • 3. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° until cake springs back when lightly touched, 45-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • 4. For sauce, in a large saucepan, bring cream to a boil; stir in butter and sugar until smooth. Reduce heat; stir a small amount of hot liquid into egg yolks. Return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Cook until sauce is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in brandy. Serve warm with cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice with about 3 tablespoons sauce: 624 calories, 35g fat (19g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 271mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.