Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs, one at a time and cream after each addition. Add jam. Sift together soda, spices and 2 cups flour. Add remaining flour to cream mixture alternately with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in raisins, nuts and vanilla. Pour into two greased 9-inch cake pans. Bake at 325 for 30-45 minutes, or til done. *See Susan Emmick's Caramel Icing