Add soda to applesauce before putting with other ingredients. Cream shortening and sugar together. Sift flour, salt, cinnamon and allspice in then add applesauce. Bring raisins to a boil to soften then add to batter. Bake at 350ºF. for approximately 35 minutes or until done. 

Applesauce Spice Cake

2 1/2 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 cup of butter or margarine
2 cups of sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of chopped nuts
One 16 ounce can of applesauce

Grease and flour a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Combine the first 7 ingredients. In mixer bowl beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each. Add dry ingredients and applesauce alternately to beaten mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Turn in pan. Bake in 350ºF. oven for 45 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.