1 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
2 cups butter
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs beaten
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup dates, chopped
1 cup frozen flaked coconut

Assemble ingredients and utensils. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in buttermilk. In a large bowl, combine sugar and butter; add buttermilk mixture, flour, and beaten eggs; blend well. Add pecans, dates, and coconut. Spoon into a greased tube pan. Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours. Pour orange sauce over the cake while cake is hot; cool before removing from pan.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

Orange Sauce
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup sugar

Assemble ingredients and utensils. Heat orange juice and sugar over low heat until sugar dissolves.