1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
5 eggs
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 c. milk
1 c. orange slice candy
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. peach preserves
1/2 c. cherry preserves
1/2 c. red plum jam
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. butter flavoring
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1/2 c. peach preserves
1 tbsp. water
Caramel Frosting
Chopped pecans
Pecan halves

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine flour, salt, cocoa and all spices, reserving 2 teaspoons to dredge chopped orange slice candy and 1 cup pecans. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Dredge orange candy and pecans in reserved flour mixture; add to cake batter. Stir in 1/2 cup peach preserves, plum jar, cherry preserves and flavorings.

Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 8 or 9 inch cake pans. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 18 minutes; then remove from pans and cool.

Combine remaining 1/2 cup peach preserves and water. Spread between layers; spread top and sides with caramel frosting. Press chopped pecans on sides. Garnish top with pecan halves.

CARAMEL FROSTING:

2 1/2 c. sugar, divided
1 c. whipped cream

Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar in heavy saucepan or iron skillet; place over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and syrup is light golden brown.

Combine remaining 2 cups sugar and whipping cream in a medium saucepan; heat to boiling. Add caramelized sugar slowly to whipping cream mixture. (The mixture will tend to lump, but continue stirring vigorously and it will become smooth with further cooking.)

Cook over medium to low heat 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently to soft ball (234 degrees) stage. Cool 5 minutes. Beat to almost spreading consistency, and spread on cooled cake. This is a very good cake -- worth the time and effort and is enjoyed greatly by people who like the taste of fruit but do not care for candied fruit.