Lighter Christmas Cake - Paradise Fruit

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups pitted dates, chopped
• 3 cups applesauce
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 cups raisins
• 2 cups mixed candied fruit, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/4 cup apricot preserves
• 1/4 cup water
• whole pecans for garnishing