Orange Date Pound Cake

1 cup butter, softened
3 cups sugar, divided
4 eggs
1 tablespoon orange peel, divided
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
1 pound chopped dates
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 cup orange juice

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 2 teaspoons orange peel. Combine flour and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in dates and pecans. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan; spread evenly.

Bake at 325° for 70-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. combine the orange juice and remaining sugar and orange peel; pour over cake. Cool for 30 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 12-16 servings.