There is just something about the folks who live in the Ozarks that I always liked -- for Ozarkians, personal independence is worth more than material gain. These folks have a great strength of spirit. I love that quality about Ozark people and I honor that quality in all my writings.
This recipe was created in the Ozarks out of necessity by a woman or maybe several women who needed to bake cakes but did not have eggs available, either because they didn't have chickens to lay eggs or the chickens had stopped laying eggs.
1 cup raisins
2 cups water
1 teaspoon soda
2 heaping tablespoons lard
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
a pinch each of salt, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger
Cook raisins and water down to one cup of juice. While still warm, add lard and soda. Add enough sugar and flour to make a light batter but don't let it get stiff. Bake in moderate over or in cast iron skillet until done.