Applesauce spice cake

I adapted this recipe from one I found on the back of a bag of C&H sugar recipe

½ cup raisins (or dried cranberries) ½ cup boiling spiced cider 2 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (or unbleached all-purpose flour) 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ teaspoon cloves ½ teaspoon allspice ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs ¼ cup canola or light olive oil 1 ½ cups thick spiced applesauce ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with parchment paper. (A loaf pan may also be used.) 2. Simmer a cup of spiced apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is reduced by half. Pour over raisins in a small bowl. 3. Dry Ingredients: Combine flour and baking soda; mix well. 4. Wet Ingredients: In large mixing bowl, combine sugar with spices, salt, eggs, oil, and applesauce, in that order. If using chunky applesauce, pulse first in a food processor. 5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir until just smooth. 6. Blend in raisin/cider mixture. 7. Fold in walnuts, if using. 8. Pour batter into pan and bake for about 45-60 minutes (depending on type of pan used).