Cream 1/2 butter (or even shortening) with1-1/2c brown sugar; add 2 well-beaten eggs. Separately, mix 2-1/4c flour, 1t baking soda, 1t cinnamon, 1/2t nutmeg, 1/2t cloves, 1/4t salt. Measure 1c sour milk (or even sour cream). Alternately add about one-third of the mixed dry ingredients and about 1/3 of the milk to the creamed mix (1/3 flour, mix; 1/3 milk, mix; etc till all ingredients are blended). Add 1c raison and 1/2c nuts (optional). Bake in 9" x 13" pan at 350 about 30 minutes.Frosting: in a pan, melt 1/c butter or margarine; add 1c brown sugar. Bring to a boil and stir one minute or until slightly thick. Cool. Beat in 1/4c milk and 3-1/4c (or till spreading consistancy) confectioner's sugar. Spread on cake.
The frosting is really wonderful -- don't skip making it as it makes the cake.
You can use hard raisins in this -- just soak first in boiling water to soften.
