Applesauce Treasure Loaf

Yield: 2 loaves

1 c Shortening; soft
1 1/2 c Brown sugar, firmly packed
4 Eggs
2 1/2 c Sifted all-purpose flour
1 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts Soda
1 1/2 ts Salt
2 ts Cinnamon
3/4 ts Cloves
3/4 ts Nutmeg
2 c Sweetened canned applesauce
1 1/2 c Quaker Oats, uncooked -- (quick or old-fashioned)
1 c Raisins
1 c Pitted dates -- cut in small pieces
1 c Candied red cherries -- cut in small pieces
1 c Chopped nutmeats

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, cherries and
nutmeats; stir to coat fruits and nutmeats 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.

Bake in preheated very slow oven (275 F.) about 2 hours. Set pan of hot
water in bottom of oven while loaves are baking. Loosen edges; cool on
wire rack about 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool thoroughly. Wrap
cooled bread and store one day before slicing.