Spice Cake

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts

Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda and spices. Combine raisins and nuts with 2 tbsp. of the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla to buttermilk. Alternately add dry ingredients with buttermilk to creamed sugar and shortening. Stir in floured raisins and nuts. Pour batter into greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Good with caramel frosting.

Caramel Frosting
1/3 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Melt butter in saucepan; add brown sugar and cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add salt and milk and continue stirring until mixture comes to a boil. Boil 3 minutes, remove from heat and cool. Add vanilla; blend well. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and continue beating until mixture is smooth and of spreading consistency.