Grandma Ridlen's Coffee Cake

Every Christmas my mother would make Grandma Ridlen’s Coffee Cake, which was made in a loaf, like a quick bread. Because it is made with molasses and coffee it can be rather strong flavored and some people don’t like it.

- Mary Bryan   

daughter of Hollis and Joy Miller

Margaret Ridlen's Coffee Cake
  

Joy Miller's handwriting. Grandma (Margaret) Ridlen's recipe.

Ingredients: 

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter

3 eggs, beaten

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

½ tsp allspice

½ tsp cloves

1 cup warm molasses

1 cup strong coffee

2 tsp soda

2 tbsp boiling water

1 pound raisins or currants

1 cup nut meats

4 cups flour

Cream sugar and butter together.

Mix in beaten eggs, spices, molasses and coffee.

Dissolve soda in boiling water and stir into mixture. 

Then add flour, raisins and nutmeats.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Cool.

Wrap and place in an airtight container.

Makes 2 loaves.

Improves with age!