Cranberry Cake

Photo: flickr user norwichnuts

Ingredients

cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

Grated zest of 2 oranges

1 cup fresh cranberries chopped

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup walnuts finely chopped

Butter for greasing

Whipped cream for serving (optional)

Preparation

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Beat alternately with buttermilk into creamed mixture on low speed, 2 minutes. Beat in orange zest. Stir in cranberries, dates and walnuts.

Pour batter into greased 10-inch tube or bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour. (Cake is best if stored in airtight container for 24 hours for flavors to develop.) Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

This recipe yields 8 to 10 servings.