Applesauce Cake

2½ cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1½ teaspoons baking soda

1½ teaspoons salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

1½ cups applesauce

½ cup water

½ cup solid shortening

2 large eggs

1 cup raisins

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350* 

Grease and flour oblong pan 13 X 9X 1½ inches. Or 2 round layer pans, 8 or 9 X 1½ inches. 

Beat all ingredients in large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 3 minutes. Pour into Pan (s).

Bake until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Oblong pan 60 to 65 minutes, layers pans 50 to 55 minutes, cool. Frost as desired.

**Small Applesauce cake:

Cut all ingredients in half. Pour batter into greased and floured square pan 9 X 9 X 2 inches.   

Bake 50 to 55 minutes.

Whole Wheat Applesauce Cake:

Substitute 1¼ cups whole wheat flour for 1¼cups of the all-purpose flour and decrease sugar to 1 2/3 cups. Do not use cake flour.