This recipe starts off fairly blasé, but then quickly morphs into something entirely whimsical – as the title suggests, with 12 eggs, rose-leaf steeped brandy, 2 pounds of chopped raisins…and it will keep for 3 (?!?!) months! Well then, Mrs. Madison, we’ve learned something new about your penchant for hearty cakes!

Source: Mrs. Crowen’s American Lady’s Cookery Book, 1866.