1/2 c. butter (real), at room temperature
1 c. sugar
2 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. plain flour, sifted
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tbsp. cocoa
1 c. raisins (light or dark or half & half)
1/2 c. nuts, chopped (black walnuts best)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put raisins in heavy saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil. Reduce heat immediately and simmer about 3 minutes. Pour in colander to drain. Sift all dry ingredients except soda. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and beat until fluffy. Add soda to applesauce; add to egg mix. Add sifted ingredients, mix; add raisins and nuts. Pour into greased, and floured tube pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes (until knife inserted comes out clean).

If kept in airtight container, will keep up to 10 days to 2 weeks.