Morning Applesauce Loaf

1. 1 cup shortening
2. 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3. 4 Eggs
4. 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
5. 1 tsp baking powder
6. 1/2 tsp baking soda
7. 1 1/2 tsp salt
8. 2 tsp cinnamon
9. 3/4 tsp cloves
10. 3/4 tsp nutmeg
11. 2 cup canned applesauce, sweetened
12. 1 1/2 cup oats, uncooked (quick or old-fashioned)
13. 1 cup raisins
14. 1 cup pitted dates — cut in small pieces
15. 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts

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.