A festive holiday spiced applesauce cake loaded with colorful gum drop candies. Served in thin slices, the candies appear jewel-like.

Gum Drop Cake

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup butter

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 to 2 cups applesauce

1 teaspoon baking soda, dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water

2 pounds assorted gum drop candy

1 pound raisins

1 cup toasted nuts (optional)

1. Combine flour, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg; set aside.
2. In large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy; add eggs and beat until well mixed. Add applesauce and dissolved baking soda, mixing well. Add the flour mixture until mixed. Stir in the gum drops, raisins and nuts, mixing well.
3. Spoon into a well-greased and floured 10-inch tube or Bundt baking pan.
4. Bake in 300°F (150°C) oven for 2 hours. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.