Ingredients1 c Shortening; soft1 1/2 c Brown sugar, firmly packed4 Eggs2 1/2 c Sifted all-purpose flour1 ts Baking powder1/2 ts Soda1 1/2 ts Salt2 ts Cinnamon3/4 ts Cloves3/4 ts Nutmeg2 c Sweetened canned applesauce1 1/2 c Quaker Oats, uncooked(quick or old-fashioned) 1 c Raisins1 c Pitted datescut in small pieces 1 c Candied red cherriescut in small pieces 1 c Chopped nutmeatsBeat shortening and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together 2 cups of the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices. Add alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture; blend well. Stir in oats. Combine remaining 1/2 cup flour with raisins, dates, cherries and nutmeats; stir to coat fruits and nutmeats evenly with flour. Stir into batter. Pour into 2 greased and waxed paper-lined 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 loaf pans.Bake in preheated very slow oven (275 F.) about 2 hours. Set pan of hot water in bottom of oven while loaves are baking. Loosen edges; cool on wire rack about 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool thoroughly. Wrap cooled bread and store one day before slicing.