Recipe(tried): Spicy Fruit and Nut Bar Cake (Woman's Day, 1970's)

SPICY FRUIT AND NUT BAR CAKE

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cut-up moist dried prunes
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup golden raisins
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy.

Sift dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Stir in the prunes, walnuts, and raisins. Turn into a buttered 8-inch square pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, and then turn out onto wire rack to cool thoroughly.

Cut cake horizontally in 3 equal lengthwise strips. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (3 ounce) package of cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar (as needed)

Beat cream cheese with lemon rind, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in enough confectioners' sugar to make of spreading consistency.

Makes 1 (8-inch) cake
Source: Woman's Day Encyclopedia of Cookery c.1979