Last Minute Fruit Cake (Aunt Catherine's)

1/2 c. shortening
1 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 1/2 c. cake flour
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. allspice
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1 t. soda
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. walnuts
1/2 c. raisins
1 package fruit cake mix

Cream shortening, add sugar gradually and cream thoroughly. Blend well.  Add beaten egg, add the cooled applesauce. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift together flour, spices, salt and soda and add alternately with the water to the creamed mixture. Add fruit and nuts which have been mixed with the last addition of flour.

Bake 1 hour at 350°.

(From Winnie's cookbook of her mom's favorite recipes.  I have tried to be true to the original recipe as written,)