Mr. Morris' Salsa Cake

• flour↗2 cups
• sugar↗1 1⁄3 cups
• baking powder↗4 teaspoons
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• ground cinnamon↗3⁄4 teaspoon
• ground cloves↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground allspice1⁄2 teaspoon
• salsa (homemade, a good store-bought brand, or use the salsa recipe below)1 cup
• shortening↗1⁄2 cup
• eggs↗2
• water↗1⁄3 cup
• Frosting↗
• cream cheese, softened↗6 ounces
• powdered sugar↗4 cups
• butter, to room temperature↗2 tablespoons
• teaspoon pure vanilla extract↗1⁄2
• Salsa
• cups tomatoes, crushed (or equivalent canned tomatoes)↗2
• cup roasted red pepper, chopped↗1
• garlic cloves, finely minced (I'm thinking less garlic or no garlic for this recipe!?!?)↗2
• tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or 2 teaspoons fresh parsley2
• teaspoon jalapeno, minced↗1
• tablespoon olive oil↗1
• teaspoons apple cider vinegar or 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar↗2
• teaspoon salt↗1⁄4

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   In large bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender.

3. 3

   Add the salsa, beating 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Next beat in the eggs and water, beating another 3 minutes.

4. 4

   Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or one large bundt pan. Line the pan(s) with parchment paper.

5. 5

   Pour in batter evenly into the pan.

6. 6

   Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Note that the cake may take longer to cook if baked in a bundt pan.

7. 7

   In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese frosting.

8. 8

   Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Set aside.

9. 9

   Cool cake on wire rack then frost with cream cheese frosting.

10. 10

    Pat yourself on the back for being adventurous.

11. 11

    Parting Words: "And somewhere, later on, ranch kitchens, cabins and range camps will fill with people and easy conversation (and Cookgirl adds that these various venues will also fill with people coughing, heavy clouds of cigarette smoke; the smoke detector alarms will be set off -- ) Because THIS is Marlboro Country.".