Applesauce Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 3.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups chopped walnuts
• 1.5 cups raisins
• 1.5 cups dates , pitted and chopped
• 0.5 cups maraschino cherries , coarsely chopped
• 2 cups applesauce
• 6 maraschinos cherries , halved
• 6 pecans halves

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch tube pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and grease again.

2. 2

   In large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs and blend well.

3. 3

   Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Combine 1/2 cup of flour with nuts, raisins, dates and 1/2 cup cherries, stir until coated. Set aside.

4. 4

   Add remaining 2 3/4 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and salt to egg mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened, then beat 2 minutes on medium speed.

5. 5

   Fold fruit and nut mixture and applesauce into batter. Pour batter into a 10 inch tube pan. Arrange cherry halves and pecans on top.

6. 6

   Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 1hour and 15 to 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. Cool upright in pan 5 minutes. Turn upright onto wire rack and remove pan and parchment paper. Cool completely.