Absolutely! Based on your nostalgic memory, this sounds like a beloved treat that brings back vivid childhood emotions—perhaps a classic A&P-style Chocolate Cake or Danish, maybe even a Snack Cake or Chocolate Eclair. Since you haven’t specified exactly what “this” was, I’ll craft a rich, heartfelt recipe based on the classic A&P Spanish Bar Cake—a spiced raisin cake that was a cult favorite and often came in a long bar form, loved for its moist crumb and nostalgic flavor. Let’s take a deep dive into this treasured treat.
The Legendary A&P Spanish Bar Cake Recipe
Introduction
Back in the golden days of American grocery chains, the A&P (Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) wasn’t just a place to stock up on pantry staples—it was a community fixture. And nestled quietly among the rows of fresh bread and canned soup was a little gem of a dessert: the Spanish Bar Cake. Moist, dark, spiced just right, and filled with plump raisins, this cake came in a long bar form, topped with a smooth vanilla or cream cheese frosting. For many, including your brother who stocked shelves, this cake became more than dessert—it became a symbol of comfort and home. Let’s recreate it.
History of the Spanish Bar Cake
The Spanish Bar Cake gained prominence in the mid-20th century, especially during the 1940s–1970s. Though the origins of the name are unclear (it’s not Spanish!), it was a budget-friendly, spice-laden treat that used common pantry items. A&P’s in-house bakery brand, Jane Parker, made this cake a signature item. It was known for being moist, rich, lightly spicy, and was especially popular during the holidays—though fans enjoyed it year-round. When A&P closed down, the cake seemed to vanish with it—until nostalgic bakers started reviving the memory online.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar (white)
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup vegetable oil or shortening
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup raisins (plumped in warm water, then drained)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Frosting:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar (more as needed for consistency)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan or two loaf pans (for a traditional “bar” look).
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
3. Cream and Combine:
- In a large bowl, beat together the oil, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each.
- Mix in the applesauce and vanilla.
4. Bring It Together:
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Fold in the raisins and optional walnuts.
5. Bake the Cake:
- Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Frosting Time:
- Beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add vanilla, then slowly mix in powdered sugar.
- Add milk or cream a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached—creamy but spreadable.
7. Frost and Chill:
- Once cake is cool, frost the top generously.
- Chill for at least 1 hour to set.
Serving & Storage
- Slice into thin bars for a traditional look.
- Store covered in the refrigerator; flavor deepens the next day!
- Pairs beautifully with black coffee or a cold glass of milk.
Formation & Lovers
This cake was a formation of memory and community—stocked daily by hardworking hands like your brother’s, and enjoyed in quiet moments by the whole family. Lovers of the Spanish Bar Cake aren’t just fans of spice cake—they’re memory-keepers, flavor-preservers, and nostalgia-driven bakers.
This recipe has gathered lovers across generations:
- Grandparents who remember it from their youth.
- Bakers who recreate it every Christmas.
- Siblings who remember sneaking slices after school.
- You, who treasure the memories of your brother’s simple gift—a cake half-eaten, but wholly cherished.
Conclusion
To some, it’s just a cake. But for you—and so many others—it’s a link to the past, a taste of warmth, and a symbol of small, consistent love. Recreate it. Share it. Eat it slowly and let it carry you back.
Let this recipe be not just dessert, but devotion.
Would you like a printable version or a styled recipe card for sharing?