Irish Whiskey Cake

Directions

Put the raisins and grated lemon rind into a bowl with the whiskey, and leave overnight to soak.

Grease a 7-inch cake pan, and line the bottom with parchment; preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃).

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Separate the eggs and sift the flour, salt, cloves and baking powder into a bowl.

Beat the yolks into the butter and sugar one by one, including a spoonful of flour and beating well after each addition.

Gradually add the whiskey and raisin mixture, alternating with the remaining flour.

Do not overbeat at this stage.

Finally, whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the mixture with a metal spoon.

Turn into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 1½ hours, or until well risen and springy to the touch ~- or test with a skewer:

When it comes out clean, the cake’s ready.

Turn out and cool on a wire rack.

.Meanwhile, make the icing by mixing the lemon juice with the sieved confectioners’ sugar and just enough water to make a pouring consistency.

Put a dinner plate under the cake rack to catch the drips, and pour the icing over the cake a tablespoonful at a time letting it dribble naturally down the sides.