1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup maple syrup, brown syrup, or agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 teaspoon ground {cinnamon}
1/4 teaspoon ground {nutmeg}
1/4 teaspoon ground {cloves}
1/4 teaspoon powdered {ginger}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 10-inch round cake pan or 8- or 9-inch square baking pan.

Beat oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together until smooth. Stir in applesauce, raisins, and walnuts. In separate bowl, sift remaining ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend. Dough will be stiff.

Spread into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes, or until cake pulls away from edges of pan and knife inserted in center comes out dry. Cool on rack.