Spice Cake

1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup water
1 cup raisins, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar
Additional chopped pecans, optional

In a saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients; slowly heat, stirring until butter melts. Remove from the heat; cool. In large mixing bowl, beat egg yolks lightly; gradually stir in spice mixture. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and pecans; stir into spice mixture.

Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into the batter. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely.

For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. beat in sugar until smooth and fluffy. Frost cake. Garnish with pecans if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 12-16 servings