Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 10-inch tube pan.

Cover raisins with warm water and let soak for 10 minutes; drain.

Whisk flour, spices, and salt together in a bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir baking soda and 1 tablespoon warm water together until smooth; stir into sugar mixture.

Mix in flour mixture, apples, and strained raisins until well blended.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool cake in pan.

Once cool, shake pan to loosen cake. Turn onto plate, and dust with confectioners' sugar.