Countdown to Christmas
From Pinwheel Quilting

23 Days til Christmas

I know what everyone thinks of Fruit Cakes, not a favorite at Christmas,
but everyone always seems to have one.  I like Fruit Cake that is , my mother's
Fruit Cake.  It's like a nut cake, there's not much cake to it.  If your are one
who make's Fruit Cake for the Holidays, I hope you will try this recipe.

Joan's Fruit Cake

3 1/2  cups pitted dates
1 lb. candied pineapple(2 1/2 cups)
1 lb. whole candied cherries (2 cups)
2 cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 lbs. pecan halves(8 cups)

Simple Syrup:
Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in saucepan, bring to boil.  Cool.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt then cover fruit.
Beat eggs and then add sugar.  Add egg mixture to fruit and stir. 
Finally, add pecans.
Grease and line loaf pan with brown paper.
Firmly pack fruit mixture into pan.  I get 2 loaf pans filled with mixture,
  put equal amounts in each pan.

Bake at 275 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.  Just golden brown.

When cool, brush top of loaf with simple syrup.  Let dry and repeat
  3 or 4 times.  Wrap loaf in tea towel that is generously soaked in bourbon.
  Wrap with wax paper, then wrap with aluminum foil.  Let sit for several
  days or weeks before serving.

Now that is a Fruit Cake.

Enjoy!
Happy Holidays,
Carol