[mcgill]

Dark Fruit Cake

4 c. all purpose flour
2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp. corn starch
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 c. unsweetened applesauce
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. raisins
1 c. chopped pitted dates
1 lb. candied mixed fruit
2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. walnut halves
1 c. halved candied cherries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. (150 degrees C.). Grease a 9" tube pan and one 9x5 inch loaf pan.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves into a large bowl. Stir in the applesauce and oil, then mix in the raisins, dates, mixed fruit and 2 cups of walnuts. Pour into the prepared pans. Pans should be about 3/4 full if using mini pans, or an assortment.

Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the crown of the cake comes out clean.