Instructions: Mix filling; stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside. Cut up dates into small pieces and coarsely chop nuts.

Cream together margarine and 2 c sugar. Gradually add beaten egg yolks. Add 1/2 of the flour. Beat thoroughly. Dissolve baking soda in the buttermilk. Add the remaining flour alternately with the milk, beating well after each addition. Mix in dates, pecans and 2 T grated orange rind. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in greased 10" tube pan at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 300 and bake for another 30 - 40 minutes. When cake is removed from oven, prick top with fork and pour filling over cake. Let cake stand until filling is absorbed and cake is cool before removing from the pan. Best if left in the pan overnight.

Makes 16 servings.

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