Holiday Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon baking cocoa (unsweetened)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (or soy milk)
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 1/2 cups apples, peeled & shredded
• 1 1/2 cups dates, pitted & chopped
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped