Victorian Christmas Cake
 
Ingredients:

   2 cups all-purpose flour
   1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar
   1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
   3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
   1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
   1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
   1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   1 1/2 cups applesauce (unsweetened)
   1 1/2 cups shortening (such as Crisco)
   1/2 cup cider (sweet or hard cider)
   3/4 cup chopped dates
   3/4 cup raisins
   1/2 cup chopped walnuts
   2 eggs
 
Garnish: (optional)

   Confectioners' sugar
   Whipped cream or Clotted cream
 
Instructions:

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). 
  Grease a 10-inch tube or bundt pan and lightly dust with cocoa.
 
  Sift dry ingredients into mixing bowl. 
  Drop in shortening. 
  Add applesauce and cider and mix with electric mixer. 
  Add eggs and mix again. 
  Stir in fruit and chopped nuts. Batter will be stiff. 
  Pour into prepared tube or bundt pan. 
  Bake in preheated 350 degree F (180 C) oven for 1 hour. 
  Remove to wire rack, let cool for 15 minutes, and invert onto rack to cool completely. 
  Before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar if desired, and serve with whipped cream or clotted cream.

Makes 10-12 servings.