3 cups/360g all-purpose flour

2 cups/400g granulated sugar

2 teaspoons/14g/10ml baking soda

1 teaspoon/1.9g/5ml allspice

1 teaspoon/2.6g/5ml cinnamon

1 teaspoon/1g/5ml nutmeg

1 teaspoon/2.1g/5ml cloves

1 teaspoon/6g/5ml salt

2/3 cup/151g butter or margarine

2 cups/454g/500ml buttermilk

1 cup/150-180g chopped dates, raisins, or mixed candied fruits

1/2 cup/75g chopped almonds or walnuts

Directions:

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until particles resemble rice kernels. Add buttermilk; mix thoroughly. Mi in dates and nuts.

Turn batter into a generously greased and floured (bottom only) 9-inch tube pan or into two 8x4x3-inch loaf pans. 

Bake at 350F/180C/Gas 4 for about an hour, or until a wooden pick comes out clean.

Cool in a pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack. 

** If nuts are not wanted, increase your fruits to one and one half cups. **