Apricot Brandy Bread

1 c Dried apricots; chopped

1 ts Baking soda

1/4 c Apricot brandy; plus:

1 tb Apricot brandy

1/4 ts Salt

1/2 c Shortening

1 ts Cinnamon

1 c Sugar

1/2 ts Nutmeg

1/4 ts Allspice

2 c Flour

1/4 ts Cloves

1 c Pecans; chopped

1 c Applesauce

1 Egg

Combine apricots & brandy; cover and refrigerate overnight. Cream shortening; gradually add sugar and beating well. Add egg, and mix well. Combine one cup flour with baking soda, spices, and salt; set aside. Add pecans to apricot mixture; combine with reserved flour mixture. Toss well to coat all pieces with flour; set aside. Add remaining one cup flour to shortening/sugar mixture alternating with applesauce, (beginning and ending with flour mixture). Stir in reserved apricot mixture. Pour into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 loafpan; bake at 350 deg. for 1 hour and 15 min. or until

toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaf in pan for 10 loaf. Notes: May be frozen up to 3 months. This is more of a sweet cake than a bread. May be wrapped in cheese- cloth and soaked with additional brandy and stored in a tin, if desired. Judy Garnett
-