Applesauce Treasure Loaf

• 1 cup vegetable shortening soft
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar firmly packed
• 4 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cups applesauce sweetened canned
• 1 1/2 cups oats, quick cooking
• 1 cup raisins, seedless
• 1 cup dates pitted, cut in small pieces
• 1 cup candied cherries cut in small pieces
• 1 cup nuts chopped

1. Beat shortening and sugar together until creamy.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Sift together 2 cups of the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices.
4. Add alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture; blend well.
5. Stir in oats.
6. Combine remaining 1/2 cup flour with raisins, dates, cherries and nutmeats; stir to coat fruits and nutmeats evenly with flour.
7. Stir into batter.
8. Pour into 2 greased and waxed paper-lined 8 1/2 inch x 4 1/2 inch x 2 1/2 inches loaf pans.
9. Bake in preheated very slow oven (275F/140C) about 2 hours.
10. Set pan of hot water in bottom of oven while loaves are baking.
11. Loosen edges; cool on wire rack about 10 minutes.
12. Remove from pans; cool thoroughly.
13. Wrap cooled bread and store one day before slicing.

vegetable shortening soft, brown sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, oats, raisins, dates, candied cherries, nuts

Taken from recipeland.com/recipe/v/applesauce-treasure-loaf-3271 (may not work)