1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
2 beaten eggs
2 c. applesauce
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 c. flour
2 c. raisins
1 c. nuts

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Heat applesauce and while still warm, add soda, then add butter, sugar and egg mixture. Add other ingredients except raisins and nuts. Mix well. Add raisins and nuts last. Raisins and nuts may be coated in some of previous flour. Pour into greased and floured tube pan.

Bake with low heat for 1 hour.

Caramel Icing:

1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 c. confectioners sugar
1/4 c. cream
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix butter, brown sugar and salt and cream. Boil for 3 minutes. Cool. Add confectioners sugar, sifted, and vanilla. Spread quickly on cake.

P.S. I usually double the cake icing.