1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour, divided
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. raisins
1 c. pear preserves

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine 2 cups flour, soda, salt and spices; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

Dredge pecans and raisins in 1/2 cup flour. Stir pecan mixture and pear preserves into batter. Bake in 13x9 pan at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.