Blackberry Cake

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup shortening or butter
5 eggs, beaten until smooth
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups blackberries

Add baking soda to buttermilk. Mix flour, spices and salt together. Add all remaining ingredients except blackberries to the buttermilk-soda mixture; mix well. Add the blackberries (drain all juice, if frozen or canned), and beat until well mixed. Batter will be thick. Grease and flour a tube cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

May be served plain or with whipped cream.

Blackberry Cake

1 (18.25 ounce) box white cake mix (with pudding in the mix)
1 small box black raspberry flavored gelatin
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, gelatin, oil and milk. Mix well until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix after each addition. Fold in blackberries, pecans and coconut. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan(s) for 10 minutes.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Icing
1/2 cup butter
1 pound confectioners