Gumdrop Cake

This recipe is a family favorite from Grandma Louise Turnbow.  She use to make this cake often when she lived in Tabiona on the banks of the Duchesne River.  I try to make it at least twice a year, Vern's birthday and at Christmas.

Combine sugar, shortening, raisins and water in a 6 quart pot.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  (Let it cool completely.  I remember Grandma Turnbow telling me she would just set it out on the steps of her back porch to cool off.)

1 3/4 cups of sugar
1 cup shortening
1 box raisins (16 oz)
3 1/2 cups water

Add the ingredients below to the cooled off mixture.

1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
4 tbsp cocoa
3 cups flour
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
1 16 oz pkg. gumdrops cut into small pieces (do not use spiced gumdrops)
(Put gumdrops in a small bowl and sprinkle with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour and coat each gumdrop to make it easier to cut them up)

Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch pan and cook for 1 hour at 350 degrees.