Ingredients:
3 cups seedless raisins
2 cups boiling water
1 cup molasses
2/3 cup shortening
1 cup white or brown sugar
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
2 tsp vanilla
Cloves are optional
Directions:
Bring raisins and water to a boil and continue boiling until water is reduced to a few tablespoons. Add molasses, shortening, nuts, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Boil gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, add flour a bit at a time, alternating with remaining ingredients. Grease two 9 inch loaf pans and line with waxed paper. Bake at 325F for 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool on cake rack