Applesauce treasure loaf

1 c  Shortening; soft
  1 1/2 c  Brown sugar, firmly packed
      4    Eggs
  2 1/2 c  Sifted all-purpose flour
      1 ts baking powder
    1/2 ts Soda
  1 1/2 ts Salt
      2 ts Cinnamon
    3/4 ts Cloves
    3/4 ts Nutmeg
      2 c  Sweetened canned applesauce
  1 1/2 c  Quaker Oats, uncooked
           -- (quick or old-fashioned)
      1 c  Raisins
      1 c  Pitted dates
           -- cut in small pieces
      1 c  Candied red cherries
           -- cut in small pieces
      1 c  Chopped nutmeats
 
  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, cherries and
  nutmeats; stir to coat fruits and nutmeats 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.
  
  Bake in preheated very slow oven (275 F.) about 2 hours.  Set pan of hot
  water in bottom of oven while loaves are baking.  Loosen edges; cool on
  wire rack about 10 minutes.  Remove from pans; cool thoroughly.  Wrap
  cooled bread and store one day before slicing.
  
  Source: Our Favorites for family and friends
  Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company
  Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias