MAMA's AMBROSIA CAKE by Linda Leeson

The smell of Ambrosia Cake was the beginning of Christmas for me growing up. It's a wonderful combination of spices, chocolate, and fruit.  Lots of cutting and chopping, but well worth it.

Mama's Ambrosia Cake

1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons soda
1 cup buttermilk
3 eggs, beaten well
3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 T cocoa dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 apple chopped very fine

Combine all and mix to make a 3 layer cake. Cook 25 or 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Filling:
Prepare chopped and grated fruit as follows:
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup raisins
1 cup oranges
1 coconut grated
1 small can crushed pineapple, well drained

Cook to soft ball stage:
3 cups sugar
2 cups milk
1 level teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch soda
1/4 cup butter

Pour over fruit and mix well as it slightly gets firm enough to spread on cake.  Juicy but not runny is good...

Please remember that this recipe is from the 1800s in the days of no mixers, food processors or already prepared anything.  I would love any adaptations you might have to share. 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas love to all.