4 c All-purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 c Pecan halves, divided
1 c Chopped almonds
1 c Chopped pecans
1 c Chopped dates
1 lb Fruitcake mix
1/2 lb Red and green candied
– cherries
1 ts Baking powder
1/2 ts Salt
1 tb Ground cinnamon
1 tb Ground cloves
1 tb Ground allspice
1 tb Freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 c Butter
2 c Sugar
5 lg Eggs
1 ts Vanilla extract
Brandy
LINE 6 (5x3x2 inch) loafpans with parchment paper; set aside.
COMBINE 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup pecan halves, almonds, and next 4
ingredients, tossing gently to coat. Set aside.
BEAT butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy;
gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating
until blended after each addition.
ADD vanilla, beating well. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well.
STIR fruit mixture into batter; stir in remaining 1/2 cup pecan
halves. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans; smooth tops of cakes
with back of a wet spoon.
BAKE at 325 F for 20 minutes; decrease temperature to 300 F, and bake
40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool in
pans on wire racks 20 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely
on wire racks.
PEEL paper from cakes; wrap cakes in brandy-soaked cheesecloth. Store
in airtight containers in a cool place.
POUR a small amount of brandy over cakes weekly for 4 weeks; then
monthly.
Yields
6 Loaves