Applesauce Cake

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups applesauce
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Instructions:

Beat the shortening with an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating just until the yellow disappears. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, then add to the shortening mixture alternately with the applesauce, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in the raisins and nuts the pour the batter into a greased and floured 12-cup bundt pan. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until it tests clean with a toothpick. Shield the cake with aluminum foil after 45 minutes to prevent too much browning. Cool in a pan on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes, the remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.