Icelandic Christmas Cake

A couple of years ago I came across this recipe on Allrecipes.com and when I made it, it brought back warm childhood memories. And then my mom said she made a few years after we lived in Iceland. That explains a lot. I like to make it in individual loafs--as the consistency is more of a bread than a cake. And I include the loaves with my cookie trays. And because my family doesn't like raisins, I use craisins--which is more Christmassy anyway. 

 

Icelandic Christmas Cake

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup raisins--or craisins
  
  
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom flavored extract--I use the powered spice for this as I couldn't find the extract and it still was marvelous

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 11 inch loaf pan.
2. Cream the butter or margarine and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at time beating well after each one. Stir in the milk, lemon and cardamom flavorings. Stir in the flour and the baking powder.
3. Sift a little flour over the raisins then stir them into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes.

PS--I was in a rush to get to work when I wrote this and forgot to mention that Penney is my winner. If you could email me your address, I'll get it in the mail. (wishwryter@comcast.net) Congrats!!!