Spanish Bar Cake- step back in time to the old A&P store!

Before I give out this recipe, I must reveal my most important baking tip! Not that I'm a pro, or anything, but I can hold my own in the dessert baking department. My biggest must have? An oven thermometer! No two ovens heat the same. You can follow a recipe exactly, thinking that your oven is set for the right temp, when it's actually off by 100 degrees and ruin the whole thing! So, here goes. Good Luck!

Dry ingredients- mix these together first in a large bowl:

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice

Then add these:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups applesauce
2 eggs
1 cup raisins (add these last, after everything else is mixed)

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice

Mix all ingredients together and beat well. Beat in more milk if needed for easier spreading.

Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 35 minutes in a 9x13 pan, or 40 to 45 minutes in a bundt pan. Cool thoroughly before frosting.

Enjoy!