West Virginia Jam Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup shorting
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup blueberry jam
3 cups sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped black walnuts
1 cup raisins
1 large apple, grated
1/2 cup chopped dates (optional)
1 cup ground coconut

Cream sugar and shortening, add eggs and beat well. Combine buttermilk and jam alternately with sifted flour and baking soda, beat well. Add nuts, fruits and coconut, stir until well distributed through batter.

Bake in a in 3 well greased and floured cake pans at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until tested done.

Filling
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped raisins
1 cup grated apples
1 cup grated coconut
Maraschino cherries (optional)

Mix sugar and flour together in saucepan, add milk and butter and cook about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and beat till thickened, add nuts, fruit and coconut. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cake. Decorate with maraschino cherries.

Note: If black walnuts not available, use pecans or other nuts and add 1/2 tsp. walnut flavoring
Wisemama

http://www.nancyskitchen.com