1950's Orange & Raisin Cake

This cake won the Pillsbury Bake-off Contest in 1950.

The winner was Mrs. Lily Wuebel, from Redwood City, California and the original name for this beauty was "Orange Kiss Me Cake".
Her prize money was $25,000 back then, a lot of dough.

This wins the 2016 bake-off in my kitchen, this winter.
No prize money here, but I loved this cake. So homey and cozy with a cup of coffee.

It makes a big cake, in a 9 x 13 pan, so you can eat it for a few days.

The original recipe used Crisco shortening, but does anyone use that stuff anymore? I used butter.
It's delicious. So moist with the ground up raisins.

Vintage Orange & Raisin Cake (adapted from Pillsbury):

1 large navel orange (or 2 clementines)
1 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnuts
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs

Topping
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan.

In a food processor bowl with metal blade or food mill, grind together orange peel and pulp, raisins and 1/3 cup walnuts. Set aside.

In large bowl, combine flour and all remaining cake ingredients at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Stir in orange-raisin mixture. Pour batter into greased and floured pan.

Bake at 350°F. for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Drizzle reserved 1/3 cup orange juice over warm cake in pan.

In small bowl, combine 1/3 cup sugar and cinnamon; mix well. Stir in 1/4 cup walnuts; sprinkle over cake. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled.

Next time, I will just mix all the icing ingredients together to make it easier.

Cut yourself a square and enjoy!