Molasses Fruit Cake.

1½ pound flour.

1 pound powdered sugar.

1 cup of molasses.

1 cup sour cream.

5 eggs, beaten very light.

1 pound of raisins, seeded and cut into thirds.

1 teaspoonful cinnamon and cloves.

½ grated nutmeg.

½ teaspoonful ginger.

¾ pound butter.

1 full teaspoonful soda, dissolved in hot water.

Cream butter and sugar; warm the molasses slightly and beat into this with spices and cream. Add the yolks of the eggs, stir in the flour and the whites alternately, the soda-water, then the fruit, well dredged with flour. Beat all together vigorously for at least three minutes before putting into well-buttered tins to be baked.

It will require long and careful baking, the molasses rendering it liable to burn.