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A&S/Macy's Raisin Spice Cake

Subject: A&S spiced cake recipe
From: Tom
Date: 12/23/2020, 12:02 PM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com

On 12/23/2020 10:07 AM, Tom wrote:

I Haven’t been able to find the spiced caked recipe. 
It was a favorite of ours after visiting the store. 
Thanks Tom 

Hello Tom,

I must admit that I am clueless regarding A&S. Was it a bakery? A department store? A supermarket? Where was it located?

Phaed

On 12/23/2020 10:53 AM, Tom wrote

A&S was a very large Department Store in NYC, Brooklyn located on Fulton Street.

Hi Tom,    

        Ok. Now I'm up to speed.  "A&S" stood for "Abraham & Straus." In 1893, Abraham Abraham and Isador Straus, co-owner of R.H. Macy and Company, decided to build an upscale department store which they hoped would transform downtown Brooklyn. The store thrived until the late 20th century, when downtown Brooklyn began to decline. In 1995 the "A & S" name was dropped and the store was turned into a Macy’s. There's an article about it here: Atlas Obscura

Sorry, I could not find any mention of A&S "spice cake" or "spiced cake" or even a mention of the "A&S Bakery". 

Because of the strong connection between A & S and Macy's, I'm sending you a recipe that I found for "Macy's Raisin Spice Cake." I have no reason to believe it is the same cake, but I would be remiss if I didn't make the effort.

I will post this for reader input. Perhaps someone has the recipe and will respond.

Phaed

Macy's Raisin Spice Cake
	 
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 tbsp. shortening
1 c. raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves

Cook together until raisins are tender then add 1/4 cup of water 
with 1 tablespoon baking soda and 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking 
powder and a pinch of salt. Cook in moderate oven for 30 minutes.