This recipe is from my late mother:
3 C plain flour
3/4 C butter - softened
2 1/4 C sugar
3 eggs
1 can applesauce (or 1 1/2 C)
1/2 C warm water
1 1/2 T. EACH soda, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon
1 1/2 C chpped dates
1 1/2 C chopped nuts (pecans)
Use standard mixing procedure for cakes - cream butter and sugar, etc...
Bake in a latge tube pan or 2 loaf pans for approx. 90 minutes at 300 degrees
Don't know where the recipe originated, but we ate this through my childhood and I am 60 now! The cakes freeze well.