Welcome back to the past with a delicious treat that will transport you to the good old days – the A&P Spanish Bar. This replica of the beloved Jane Parker classic brings back all the flavors of this 20th-century snack. Imagine a moist and mildly spiced cake studded with raisins, generously layered with a creamy cream cheese frosting. Whether it’s breakfast, lunchtime, or a midnight snack, you’ll always find a reason to savor a slice.

A&P, one of the pioneering companies in revolutionizing the way people shop for food, played a significant role in bringing convenience to customers. Before A&P came into the picture in 1859, grocery shopping involved interacting with shopkeepers and requesting specific items to be weighed and packaged. A&P changed the game by introducing prepackaged products, allowing customers to browse and choose their items directly from the shelves. This concept caught on quickly, and by the 1930s, A&P became the largest chain grocery store in the nation. Offering competitive prices and in-store brands, A&P made quality food accessible during tough times like the Great Depression.

One of A&P’s in-house brands, Jane Parker, was particularly beloved for its delightful desserts. One such treat was the Spanish Bar, which gained popularity in the 1940s. The cake itself used minimal eggs but relied on affordable dried spices to infuse a delightful flavor. While the original recipe included raisins, over the years, chopped walnuts were added to enhance the texture and taste.

Our A&P Spanish Bar replicates the original recipe by incorporating spices and raisins into a delectable cake. It consists of two layers held together by a smooth and velvety cream cheese frosting. Let’s dive into how to make this nostalgic dessert.

Recreating the A&P Spanish Bar

Ingredients:

• For the Cake:
  • 2 cups of water
  • 3/4 cup of raisins
  • 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon of fine salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup of finely chopped walnuts (optional)
• For the Frosting:
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F and generously grease an 8×8 pan with baking spray. Line the bottom with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. In a large saucepan, combine water and raisins. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it cook for 10 minutes. Add the vegetable oil to the boiled mixture and allow it to cool to room temperature.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the cooled raisin mixture. Add the lightly beaten egg and walnuts (optional), stirring until well combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the next steps.

Now, let’s prepare the irresistible cream cheese frosting.

6. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and free of any lumps. This process should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Gradually add the powdered sugar and salt to the cream cheese and butter mixture, continuing to beat until smooth.

It’s time to assemble our nostalgic A&P Spanish Bar and indulge in its flavors.

8. Remove the cooled cake from the pan and place it on a cutting board.
9. Slice the cake horizontally, creating two layers.
10. Transfer one layer to a serving tray and generously spread the cream cheese frosting on top.
11. Place the second layer on top of the frosting and cover it with the remaining frosting.
12. For a decorative touch, use a fork to create a grooved pattern in the frosting.

Now, sit back, relax, and take a nostalgic bite into this delightful dessert. The warm spices and plump raisins evoke a cozy Christmas-y feeling, while the cream cheese frosting adds a touch of sweetness that makes it a perfect treat for any time of the year.

Enjoy your journey back to the past with the A&P Spanish Bar!