Orange cake

2 c sugar
1 c crisco
4 eggs
1 t baking soda
1 1/2 c buttermilk
4 c all purpose flour
1 c dates finely chopped
2 t orange zest
1 c walnuts finely chopped

Grease and line a 9 x 13 pan with waxed paper. Beat the sugar with the shortening well. Beat the eggs separeately. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture and contine to beat on low. Add the baking soda a little buttermilk, 1 cup flour and more buttermilk. Continue to alternate the flour and buttermilk, then add the dates, orange zest and walnuts. Beat until well blended. Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes on the second rack of the oven. Cake is doon when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Syrup
Juice of 1 1/2 oranges
2 c sugar

Dissovle sugar in orange juice. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Either cake or syrup must be cool. Pour syrup on cake. Cake keeps well in refrigerator or freezer.