Several readers sent in recipes for fruitcakes served every year at the holidays, some with the classic candied fruits and citron, others with dried fruits such as figs, raisins and dates. Only one ...

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream shortening, then add sugar and eggs. Beat well. Stir in applesauce. Sift together baking soda, flour, allspice, cloves and cinnamon, and add to creamed mixture. Add ...