'Free from' cake

This cake initially started its life as a rations cake, supposedly made after the war when things like butter and eggs were in short supply. The theme for May's cake club was 'Leave it out' and as this cake is completely dairy and egg free (making it also an excellent choice of cake for any vegans in your life) it was a perfect fit. When I took it into to work however everyone was more sold on the fact that it's a fat free cake rather than a vegan cake...

Here's the recipe:

200g caster sugar
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 tbsp mixed spice
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
175g dried mixed fruit
350ml boiling water
250g plain flour
1 tsp bicarb of soda
1 tsp baking powder

Heat oven to 170 Celsius. Boil the sugar, oil, spices and fruit in the water for 5 minutes on a medium heat then leave to cool. Sift the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix in everything from the pan after cooling. Beat really quickly to combine then bake for 20 minutes.

And that's it. Your nana really did do it better.