This is a recipe I had never given out until I wrote my cookbook. It was my grandmother’s recipe from Russia. My mother gave it to me and she made it all winter long. I make it for a Christmas treat and put it in small loaf pans.

• 1 1/2 cups applesauce
• 1/2 cup shortening melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmed, cloves, and allspice
• pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup dates
• 1 cup raisins
•  1 cup walnuts
• enough milk for a thick batter

1. combine and cream the first 3 ingredients
2.  In a separate bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients.
3. Add the flour, a little at a time, to the creamed ingredients. Alternate this with a little milk so the batter doesn’t become too thick.
4. Add raisins, dates, and nuts.
5. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes

You can substitute the shortening in this recipe with canola oil for a healthier recipe.