Sour Cream Spice Cake

SOUR CREAM SPICE CAKE

2 cups flour
1 ½ cups brown sugar
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup butter, softened
¼ cup shortening
½ cup water
2 eggs
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 ¼ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Pour into lightly greased and floured 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes (round pans for 30-35 minutes), or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely (or immediate freeze to retain moisture). Frost with cream cheese frosting (below).

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
Meringue powder, optional

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add remaining ingredients until smooth and spreadable. (Add meringue powder to give it a stiffer consistency for decorating.)