• Preheat oven to 350° and spray two 9 x 5 baking pans or a 13 x 9 baking dish with non stick spray. Set aside.

For The Poor Man's Cake

• In a medium sauce pan, cook raisins and shortening in 2 cups water for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Do not drain the water.
• Once cooled, add sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg. Stir until combined.
• Stir in 2 cups of flour until combined.
• Next add 1 cup of water and 2 more cups of flour. Stir.
• Sprinkle baking soda over mixture and mix until combined.
• Pour into prepared baking dish.
• Cook at 350° for 40-50 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. *might need more time, start checking at 40 minutes.

For The Cream Cheese Frosting

• In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
• Add vanilla, mix, then slowly add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.
• Frost cake once it has cooled completely.