Poor Man's Cake

Indulge in the nostalgic charm of Poor Man’s Cake, a timeless dessert born out of frugal ingenuity and rich in flavor. This easy, budget-friendly recipe skips expensive ingredients like eggs or milk and instead showcases the natural sweetness of simmered raisins infused with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices. A touch of hot water ensures a moist, tender crumb, while pantry staples like all-purpose flour and baking soda bring it all together. Perfect for beginner bakers or those seeking a slice of history, this simple cake comes together in under an hour with minimal prep. Whether served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or paired with a cup of coffee, Poor Man’s Cake is a humble yet heartwarming treat everyone will love. Keywords: Poor Man’s Cake, budget-friendly dessert, simple vintage cake, eggless and dairy-free cake.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Raisins
• 1 cup Water
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup Shortening (or vegetable oil)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 0.5 cup Hot water
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the raisins, 1 cup of water, granulated sugar, shortening (or vegetable oil), cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking soda.

Step 5

Gradually add the cooled raisin mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Step 6

Mix in the hot water, ensuring the batter is smooth and fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

Slice and serve plain, or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1033.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2661.7

Total Fat 62.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2498.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 513.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 305.5g
Protein 30.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 188.8mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 1471.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 20.5%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 75.1%