Mom's Applesauce Bread

Mom always called it Applesauce Cake, but to me, it's more of a quick bread than a cake, so I'll just go with that. It was always one of Mom's favorites and it meets all of my quick bread criteria: delicious, moist, doubles easily, freezes well. Perfect!
Try it!

4 c. flour
3 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground cloves
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c. shortening
2 1/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 1/4 c applesauce
1/2 cup + 1 tbs water
1 1/2 c raisins (optional)

Heat oven to 325F. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Set aside.
Sift dry ingredients. Set aside. Mix shortening and sugar, then add eggs and mix until light and fluffy. Mix in applesauce. At low speed, beat in flour mixture alternately with water, beating just until smooth. Stir in raisins, if using. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 1 1/4 hours or until cake tester comes out clean.

Tip:
This recipe makes 2 loaves and the amounts may be a little tricky to cut in half. If you only need one, I suggest baking two anyway, and just put one of them in the freezer until you need another one.