This is an easy and delicious recipe for “Country House Cake” from the “Good Eating – Suggestions for Wartime Dishes” book by the Daily Telegraph.
Selfishly, I was looking for a recipe to “christen” my new stand mixer I was gifted at Christmas by my brother. I’ve never, ever, had a stand mixer you see, so this moment was important to me!! Oh how easy it was rather than with a bowl and spoon! I think this will come into it’s own on a “baking day” when I’m making cake, bread and pastry! You’ll never see me give up my old-fashioned mixing bowl and wooden spoon though! (I’m far too nostalgic).
I really liked this recipe, I had dried fruit in my pantry from Christmas 2024 that was past it’s best before date so was looking for recipes to use this up. The same with some old flour that needed using up too!
Country House Cake
- 12 oz plain flour
- 6 oz raisins or dried mixed fruit
- 4 oz margarine
- 3 oz sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 pint of warmed milk (I used oat milk)
Method
Cream margarine and sugar together, then add the dried ingredients that have been well mixed. Stir in warmed milk and beat well. Bake in a moderate oven for about 2 hours. (I set the oven at 175c and covered the tin for the first 45 minutes).
I also brushed the top of the cake with milk when I removed the foil from the tin at 45 minutes and sprinkled on some caster sugar.
Serves 12.
PS: I’m bring out a full colour WW2 recipe book in the spring. Please join my waitlist and I’ll let you know when it is ready to pre-order! Thanks for supporting me!
This looks delicious, I too received a stand mixer for Christmas and I have to say its a game changer, I struggle with strength in my right arm after a fall in the summer, finding trying to mix with a spoon a slow process, not now I love it. Happy New Year and happy baking ❤️
That looks good. It doesn’t look too sweet, and it has plenty of spice.
My stand mixer saves me in the kitchen. Thank goodness for young me, who desparately dreamed of a stand mixer. Now I can make breads easily, and without pain! I hope you love your mixer as much as I love mine.
Was just responding to Sues comment and he talked about bread too – I will have to try that. It will save a lot of kneading and like you say it helps if you get pain… look forward to that! c xxx
That looks delicious. A stand mixer in the kitchen makes all the difference doesn’t it. I’m thinking of bringing Ken, my Kenwood out of the cupboard and going back to baking my own bread. Ken kneads so much more efficiently than I ever could. 🙂
Hi Sue, hope you had a lovely Christmas! hahaha Ken! What a good idea! I’d like to try kneading dough in mine too! C xxxx
The Oaty Biscuits recipe page seems to be broken. I can’t comment or see the recipe 🙁
Can you try now Lizzie? https://the1940sexperiment.com/2017/07/15/oaty-biscuits-recipe-no-163/ – I will look at this again tomorrow if there is still a problem xxx. Thanks