brown bread recipe

My mother used to make these little brown breads every Christmas. There were never enough breads as far as we siblings thought. Now I make them - and I make enough so every daughter gets one to take home. Now I will pass this recipe to you and hope you enjoy it. It is not nearly so hard to make as it might look.
Raisin Bread

Bring to boil 2 cups of raisins in 2 cups of water then let it cool and do not drain them.
Grease and flour 4 #3 cans ( I use a little baking dish from Crate and Barrel which is the size of a Chinese take out container box. The measurement is 16 oz))

1 cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teas salt
1 table shortening
2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups flour
Nuts optional - I always add some chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients (including the raisins and all the water they boiled in )
Bake 1 hour at 350
I do not add anything more but it would look nice with maybe some confectioners sugar sprinkled on