Mama’s Spice Cake

Ingredients
112 cups sugar
1 cup raisins chopped
1 cup water
34 cup butter cubed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 teaspoon ground allspice
14 teaspoon ground cloves
14 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 large eggs separated room temperature
2 cups allpurpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
12 teaspoon salt
14 teaspoon baking soda
34 cup chopped pecans
cream cheese frosting
1 package 8 ounces cream cheese softened
14 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
4 cups confectioners sugar
Optional Additional chopped pecans cinnamon sticks fresh bay leaves fresh rosemary sprigs and confectioners sugar

Directions
In a large saucepan combine the first 8 ingredients cook and stir over mediumlow heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat cool.
In a large bowl beat egg yolks gradually stir in spice mixture. Combine the flour baking powder salt and baking soda gradually add to spice mixture until blended. Stir in pecans. In a small bowl beat egg whites until soft peaks form fold into the batter.
Pour into 2 greased and floured 9in. round baking pans. Bake at 325 until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean 3540 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting in a large bowl beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth. To decorate spread frosting between layers and over top and side of cake leaving cake slightly exposed on the sides. If desired top with pecans cinnamon sticks bay leaves rosemary sprigs and confectioners sugar. Store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece 482 calories 22g fat 11g saturated fat 99mg cholesterol 353mg sodium 69g carbohydrate 53g sugars 1g fiber 5g protein.