Use old or dark bottled fruit, blending or mashing to make 4 cups. Add 4 teaspoons soda to the fruit. Add fruit to the flour mixture. Beat until well blended. Add 1 cup melted shortening (any kind). Add nuts, dates, raisins, chocolate chips, etc.

Grease and flour tins, 3 large loaf tins or 1 large dripper pan. Bake at 325 degrees until done. Freezes well.