I found this a few years ago and it has become a favorite at Christmas.
World War II Fruitcake
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 tblspns. margarine
1 tblspn. baking soda
1 tblspn. ground cloves
1 cup nuts
1 1/2 cups chopped dates
2 cups boiling water
3 cups sifted flour
2 tspns. ground cinnamon
1 tspn. salt
1-2 cups mixed candied fruit
Heat oven to 325*. Place in saucepan raisins, dates, sugar, water and margarine. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Cool. Sift together and stir in dry ingredients. Mix in nuts and candied fruit. Pour into 2 well greased and floured loaf pans. Bake for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove from oven. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then remove from pans and cool on racks.