James Westfall's Applesauce Cake Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a fluted cake pan with cooking spray.

Beat sugar and shortening together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; beat in eggs until incorporated.

Combine applesauce water and baking soda in a saucepan over medium heat; stir until heated through about 2 minutes. Stir applesauce mixture into shortening mixture; add vanilla extract.

Whisk flour cinnamon salt baking powder and ground cloves together in a bowl. Gradually stir applesauce mixture into flour mixture until just combined. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Pour into prepared cake pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean about 1 hour. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and transfer cake to a plate.