Country Applesauce Cake

Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.

Sift flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.

In a large mixing bowl, beat shortening with sugar.

When mixed, beat in eggs, one at a time until mixture is creamy.

Heat oven to 350°.

Add sifted ingredients to egg mixture a third at a time, alternating with applesauce.

If batter seems very stiff, add up to 1/4 cup milk. Stir in raisins, dates and pecans.

Transfer batter to prepared cake pan and smooth top so that batter is level.

Bake for 1 1/2 hours until well browned and a cake tester comes out clean.

Remove pan from oven, run a knife around cake and put pan on a wire rack to cool for 1 hour.

Remove cake from pan and let cool completely. Keep at least 1 day before cutting.