2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground allspice

1 1/2 cups applesauce

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 cup raisins

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup softened butter

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.

Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in a large bowl.

Mix in applesauce, oil, and eggs until well combined.

Stir in raisins evenly.

Pour batter into the pan, smoothing the top.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla, then gradually mix in sugar.

Once the cake is cool, cut it in half and frost the top of one layer. Stack the other half and frost the top.

Slice into bars or squares to serve. Enjoy a homemade piece of nostalgia with the A&P CopyCat Spanish Bar Cake, a treat that’s as rich in flavor as it is in history.