Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine raisins and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
1 cup raisins, 1 cup water
Remove from heat, add butter; cool to lukewarm.
1/2 cup butter
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and salt together in a medium-size bowl.
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. allspice, 1/2 tsp. cloves, 1/4 tsp. salt
Pour the raisin mixture in large mixing bowl; add sugar, egg and dry ingredients.
1 cup sugar, 1 large egg
With an electric mixer, beat until thoroughly blended.
Pour into greased and floured sheet pan (15½x10½x1-inch) and bake about 25 minutes.
Cool.
To frost:
In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla, confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon at a time of milk to the desired consistency.
2 Tbsp. butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, enough milk for spreading consistency desired