This Eggless, Butterless, Milkless Cake is a classic wartime recipe born out of necessity during rationing periods when common ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter were scarce. Despite its minimalist ingredient list, the cake is rich in flavor thanks to raisins, spices, and nuts. It's a moist, spiced cake that's perfect for frugal baking and a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Its simplicity and shelf-stability have made it a beloved dessert across generations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups raisins
- ½ cup lard (or shortening)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup nuts (chopped )
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
Step 1: Boil Base
- Mix sugar, water, raisins, lard, spices, and salt in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Cool mixture to room temperature.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients
- Add chopped nuts, flour, baking soda, and baking powder to the cooled mixture.
- Stir until fully combined.
Step 3: Bake
- Pour batter into a loaf pan lined with waxed paper.
- Bake for 1 hour in a slow oven (approx. 300°F or 150°C).
Tips
- Add chopped apples for extra moisture.
- Replace raisins with dried cranberries, cherries, or currants.
- Add orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Stir in ½ cup shredded carrot for a carrot–spice variation.
- Dust finished cake with powdered sugar instead of frosting.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons molasses for deeper flavor.
- Use walnuts or pecans for richer texture.
- Swap part of the water for strong brewed tea for old-fashioned “tea cake” flavor.
- Make it a holiday loaf by adding candied fruit and extra spices.
Transcription of the Original Recipe
Read or copy the transcription
Egless, Butterless, Milkless cake 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 2 cups raisins, ½ cup lard 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 tea spoon cloves. 1 tea spoon nutmeg ½ tea spoon salt ½ cup nuts. 2 cups flour 1 tea spoon soda 1 tea spoon baking powder mix sugar, water, raisins, lard spices, & salt. boil 3 minutes stirring constantly. cool. add rest of ingredients pour into a loaf pan lined with waxed paper. bake 1 hour in slow oven,
From Transcription to Instructions
Hey there, from Salvaged Recipes: the original transcription is that compact note that tells you to mix sugar, water, raisins, lard, spices and salt, boil 3 minutes, cool and add the rest. Our instructions unpack that into clear steps so you know to cool the boiled base before stirring in the chopped nuts, flour and the baking soda/powder, and to mix until combined. We also translate “slow oven” into a practical temp (about 300°F/150°C) and remind you to line a loaf pan with waxed paper and bake an hour.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gSodium: 210mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 2gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1.7mg
