ORANGE SLICE CAKE

ORANGE SLICE CAKE 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 pound dates, pitted and chopped 1 pound orange slices candy, chopped 2 cups chopped pecans 1 1/3 cups shredded coconut 1 cup orange juice 2 cups confectioners' sugar Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour one 10 inch tube pan. In a mixing bowl, cream margarine and granulated sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk and add to the creamed mixture. Place flour in a large bowl and add dates, orange slices, and nuts. Stir to coat each piece. Add flour mixture and coconut to creamed mixture. This makes a very stiff dough, so it will be necessary to stir with a wooden spoon. Pour batter into the tube pan. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. As soon as cake comes from oven, combine the orange juice and confectioners sugar and pour over hot cake. Let stand in pan overnight.