MARY'S ORANGE FRUIT CAKE (For People Who Don't Like Fruit Cake)

1 lb. orange candy slices
1 lb. pitted dates
2 c. broken pecans
2 sticks butter or margarine
2 c. sugar
1 1/3 c. buttermilk, divided
4 eggs
4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda

Cut up orange slices, dates and pecans. Sift flour over them and set aside. Preheat oven 275°. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add 1 c. buttermilk. Mix soda with remaining buttermilk and add. Mix. Stir in flour mixture and mix well. Pour into 1 greased and floured (10 inch) tube pan or 2 greased and floured (9x5 inch) loaf pans. Bake about 2 hours or til light golden brown on top. Mix 1 can (6 oz.) orange juice concentrate with 2 c. brown sugar and pour half over cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let stand 5-6 minutes then turn out onto a rack to cool completely. Pour remaining glaze over the cake Be sure to place foil on the rack because the glaze will drip. Cover tightly in foil and refrigerate leftovers. You can serve right away!
(makes about 20 servings)

January, 2001 Menu Minder