Morning Applesauce Loaf

Recipe Index:  Breads/Pastries > Sweet/Dessert

Ingredients
1 c shortening
1 1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
4 Eggs
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour, sifted
1 ts baking powder
1/2 ts baking soda
1 1/2 ts salt
2 ts cinnamon
3/4 ts cloves
3/4 ts nutmeg
2 c canned applesauce, sweetened
1 1/2 c oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
1 c raisins
1 c pitted dates -- cut in small pieces
1 c coarsely chopped nuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Beat shortening and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift together 2 cups of the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices. Add alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture; blend well. Stir in oats. Combine remaining 1/2-cup flour with raisins, dates, and nuts; stir to coat fruits and nuts evenly with flour. Stir into batter. Pour into 2 greased and waxed paper-lined 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 loaf pans. Set a pan of hot water in the bottom of oven before adding loaves. Bake loaves for 2 hours. Loosen edges; cool on wire rack about 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool thoroughly. Wrap cooled bread in plastic and store one day before slicing.