from Jennifer L.’s book, North Branch , MN

Ingredients

3 c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
16 oz (2 1/2 c.) diced, mixed candied fruits and peels
1 (15 oz pkg) (3 c.) raisins
1 (8 oz pkg) (1 1/3 c.) pitted whole dates, snipped

Preparation instructions

Grease three 8x4x2 loaf pans or two 10x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pans. Line bottom and sides of pans with brown paper. (Brown paper prevents over browning); grease paper. Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Add fruits and peels, raisins, dates, cherries, almonds, pecans and pineapple; mix till well coated. Beat eggs till foamy. Add brown sugar, orange juice, butter or margarine, and molasses; beat till combined. Stir into fruit mixture. Turn batter into pans, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake in oven 300° for 2 hours or till cakes test done. (cover all pans loosely with foil after 1 hour of baking to prevent over baking)
Place cakes in pans on wire racks; cool thoroughly. Remove from pans.
Wrap in wine. brandy, or fruit juice-moistened cheese cloth. Over wrap with foil. Store in refrigerator. (Store 3 to 4 weeks for a blended and mellow flavor) Re-moisten cheese cloth as needed after 1 week.

Submitted by: Jennifer L