Chocolate Raisin Cake-like Bars

This was like chocolate cake with a little tweak. I adjusted the recipe ingredients to what I had on hand. My family liked them! I think I'm going to double the recipe next time . . .

Chocolate Raisin Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine (I used lard)

1 packet milk chocolate-flavored hot cocoa mix (I used a couple tablespoons cocoa powder)

1/4 cup granulated sugar (I used 1/2 cup)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup GF flour (I used white rice flour, potato starch and oat flour, plus a little xanthan gum)

1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup raisins

2 ounces unsalted shelled roasted peanuts, chopped (I chopped my own, and used 3 Tablespoons)

Preheat oven to 350F.

Spray an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In medium bowl, using electric mixer, beat together margarine, cocoa mix, and sugar until combined; beat in eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition until well blended.

Beat in vanilla.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt and beat until blended; fold in raisins and peanuts.

Pour batter into sprayed pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes (until a cake tester [or toothpick], inserted in center, comes out clean).

Remove cake to wire rack and let cool.

To serve, cut cake in half and cut each half into 6 equal bars.

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