Country Applesauce Cake

3 C minus 2 T all-purpose flour

1 t baking powder

2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ground cloves

1 t ground nutmeg

2 t ground cinnamon

3/4 C shortening, room temperature

2 C sugar

2 large eggs

2 C applesauce

Milk, if needed

1 C dark seedless raisins

1-1/2 C chopped pitted dates

2 C chopped pecans or walnuts

Grease and flour 10 inch tube pan (or bundt pan). Sift flour with baking powder, soda, salt and spices. Mix sugar and shortening. Add eggs, one at a time. Add dry ingredients. (If batter seems very stiff, add up to 1/4 cup milk.) Stir in raisins, dates and pecans. Bake for 1-1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Remove from oven, run a knife around cake and put pan on a wire rack to cool for one hour. Remove cake from pan and cool completely. Keep at least one day before cutting. Cake keeps very well and flavor gets even better.