Orange Slice “Fruit” Cake

* * * * * This recipe uses CANDY orange slices, not fresh oranges * * * * *

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 lb cut-up CANDY orange slices
• 8 ounces chopped dates
• 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Sift together flour and salt.
2. Set aside.
3. Combine candy orange slices, dates, nuts and coconut in large bowl.
4. Add 1/2 cup of flour/salt mixture to dried fruit mixture; stir well to coat with flour.
5. In large bowl, mix butter until light and fluffy.
6. Gradually add sugar while beating, to cream well.
7. Add 4 eggs—one at a time.
8. Beat well after each egg.
9. Combine soda with buttermilk.
10. To egg mixture, add buttermilk/soda alternately with flour/salt mixture.
11. Blend well.
12. Lastly, add fruit/nut mixture to batter, and stir well.
13. Pour into large tube pan that has been greased and floured.
14. Bake at 300 F for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
15. Remove from oven.
16. Combine orange juice and sifted powdered sugar, mix well, and pour over hot cake.
17. Allow to cool.
18. Cover and let stand in refrigerator overnight before removing from pan.
19. May make 5 smaller loaves if desired.
20. Reduce cooking time to 1-1 1/4 hours; test to be sure is done.

Makes 1 large or 5 small loaves to yield 50 servings.