Orange Slice Candy Cake

Why I Love This Recipe
This was always a tradition in our house at Christmas. My mom made it every year for our family and to give as a gift. For gift giving, slice it up and pack it in a decorative gift box.
This cake freezes very well.
Be warned!!! This is a very heavy cake and it takes some muscles to mix the batter!
Ingredients You'll Need
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
3 1/2 cup all purpose flour - sifted
1 lb chopped dates
1 lb chopped orange candy slices
2 cups walnuts
1 can flaked coconut - 7oz
1 can of fresh orange juice - 1 cup
2 cups of powdered sugar
Directions
Cream the sugar and margarine until smooth.
Add eggs one at a time; beat well after each egg is added.
Dissolve baking soda in the buttermilk and add to creamed mixture.
Place flour in a large bowl and add orange slices, dates and nuts to coat each piece.
Add flour mixture and coconut to creamed mixture.
This mixture will be very stiff and need to be mixed by hand.
Pour mixture into a greased and floured Angel Food or Bundt cake pan.
Bake at 250° for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
When cake is done, combine orange juice and powdered sugar; pour mixture over hot cake after removing from oven.
Let stand overnight.