This recipe was popular right after the Civil war, because it used only a few, very inexpensive and easy to obtain ingredients. After the civil war, many ingredients were hard to come by as many small shops, grocers, farms were destroyed. Not to mention the many owners and workers that were killed in the war.
This recipe is guaranteed fool proof so it was called Idiots Delight, at that time because the recipe was so easy:
"Even an idiot can make it."
CIVIL WAR IDIOT'S DELIGHT RECIPE
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. raisins
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. water
7 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1 c. flour
Boil together the first 5 ingredients.
Make a batter of the second 5 ingredients.
Drop the batter in a greased pan by spoonfuls.
Pour first mixture over it and bake in a moderate oven until golden brown.
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