This recipe is from my german Grandmother.  Please excuse the poor instructions, they are partially from memory.

1 c. margarine at room temperature

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

3 c. flour

1 c. buttermilk* 

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. allspice

1/2 c. jam

* If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can substitute 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 cup.

1. Preheat oven to 300F
   
2. Well grease a 10" bundt pan, set aside.
   
3. In a large bowl, beat margarine to soften and then cream with sugar, added in a steady stream, until light and fluffy.
   
4. Add one whole egg at a time and beat until fully incorporated after each addition, about 2 minutes each.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixture.
5. In a second bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and spices.
6. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Mix just until blended.
7. Add 1/2 of the liquid ingredients to the mixture.  Mix just until blended.
8. Repeat until all ingredients are used, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally for even mixing.
9. Pour the batter in the prepared pan.  Drop the jam by spoonfuls onto the top of the cake in a ring shape - then take a butter knife and gently drag it through the cake and jam in a  "S" motion to swirl.  (This is optional, some people like a big blob of jam on top!)
   
10. Bake for 15 minutes at 300F, then increase the heat to 350F for 45 minutes.  Cool, invert and serve.  Don't panic if some of the jam sticks to the bottom of the pan - this is not a "pretty" cake.
    

You can use nuts, raisins or coconut in this mixture if you like - and whatever kind of jam you have on hand.  My favorite is homemade plum jam.  Enjoy!

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