Categories: Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups golden raisins
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 cup triple sec or Grand Marnier (substitute orange juice if you don't want to use alcohol)
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 cup softened salted butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon orange zest
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F, rack in the middle position.

2. Place the raisins in a bowl. Pour the boiling water over the golden raisins, add the baking soda (it foams up a bit) and then add the liqueur and orange juice.

3. Set the raisins and liquid aside on the kitchen counter to cool.

4. While the raisins are cooling, place the following ingredients together in another large mixing bowl or in the bowl of an electric mixer:

5. Turn the mixer to MEDIUM speed and mix thoroughly, or beat thoroughly by hand.

6. Take a raisin out of your first bowl to see if it’s plumped. If it’s round and looks as if it’s absorbed liquid, add the raisins AND the liquid to the mixing bowl.

7. Mix your cake batter thoroughly on MEDIUM speed or by hand until everything has been thoroughly incorporated.

8. Butter and flour a 9-inch by 13-inch rectangular cake pan. You can also spray the inside of the cake pan with Pam for baking

9. Pour the cake batter into the pan. Then sprinkle chocolate chips, sugar, and pecans on cake BEFORE baking:

10. Bake your cake at 325°F for 80 minutes, or until you test it and it’s done.

11. Use a long toothpick or a cake tester to tell if your cake is done. If you insert it one inch from the center of the cake, it should come out clean without batter sticking to it. If it doesn’t, bake your cake an additional 5-minute increments until your tester comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven.

12. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack or a cold stove burner. It can be served slightly warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

13. Serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.

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