Grannie's Orange Julep Cake

This has been a family favorite on my dad's side for a very long time. My Grannie used to make this treat for the family, especially around the holidays. My dad tells stories of how she used to ship Orange Julip Cakes to him when he was a college boy in Houston. He would sneak a few of his closest friends into his dorm room and share it with them. It's a very sweet and rich cake so a little slice goes a long way!

2 cups sugar

1 cup butter

4 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons grated orange rind

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

3 cups flour

1 small package of chopped dates (about 1 cup)

1 cup chopped pecans

1. Mix sugar, butter, eggs, salt, baking soda, and orange rind together well.

2. Mix in baking soda and buttermilk.

3. Add the mixture alternately with flour and mix.

4. Fold in the dates and pecans.

5. Pour into a well greased bunt pan.

6. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until tester comes out clean. Place a pan of water under the cake while it bakes.

While the cake is baking make the syrup by mixing together the following:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup orange juice

2 teaspoons grated orange rind

Once the cake is done, pour the syrup over the cake while it's still in the pan. Let it stand until it is soaked into the cake. Once the cake has cooled you can dump it out on a tray.