Esther's Fruit Cake (untested)

This recipe came from my Grammy's Aunt Esther and is dated as "Preferred 11-32". It is possible that this could have been a favorite for Thanksgiving 1932?

The sour milk ingredient in this recipe was common in recipe in the early 20th century. It was a way to use milk that had gone sour and not waste it. To "artificially" sour milk, add vinegar to it (e.g., 1 tablespoon of vinegar added to 2 cups of milk).

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup dates
• 1/2 cup flour for fruit
• 1 cup sour milk
• 1 tablespoon fat (shortening or Crisco)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Beat egg and sugar
2. Add melted Crisco
3. Add sour milk and flour
4. Mix baking soda in a little milk and add last with fruit
5. Bake for 1 hour in a slow oven