Original Receipt from The Godey's Lady's book receipts and household hints by Sarah Annie Frost, 1870Raisin Cake
Three cups of flour, one of milk, one and a half of sugar half cup of molasses, half cup of butter, half pound of chopped raisins, three eggs, one teaspoonful of saleratus [Bicarbonate of Soda] and spice of all kinds.
The name is known at least since Sewell's 1846 translation, supposedly of the 'strictest gramatically accuracy', of the 'Georgics' by the Latin poet Virgil;
Lesbos doth gather. There are Thasian vines
There are moreo'er the Mareotic white
These for rich soils employed for lighter those
And Psithian fitter for the raisin cake.