"Christmas Fruit Loaf is to Celebrate the Holidays and in Store to Take... ."

Ingredients for Dried Fruits and Pecans:

-1/4 c. candied cranberries

-1/4 c. candied dry apples

-1/4 c. candied pineapple

-1/4 c. red/green marascchino cherries

-1/4 c. golden raisins

-1/4 c. dried currants

-2 oz. candied orange peel

-2 oz. candied citron

-1 c. pecans

Ingredients for the Batter:

-1/2 c. orange juice

-2 c. butter

-3 c. sugar

-4 eggs

-1 c. buttermilk

-1 tsp. vanilla extract

-3 c. all-purpose flour

-1/2 tsp baking powder

-1/2 tsp baking soda

-1 pinch salt

-1 tsp rum flavoured extract

-1/2 c. rum

Instructions:

1. Mix the batter with its solids and liquids in a mixer with bowl thoroughly until consistent with itself including the liquor.

2. Add the dried fruits-n-nuts mixture and mix homogeneously until even in the batter.

3. And then in a spring-form baking dish or pan pour into the ring mold using judgement as to how full considering its expansion coefficient due to cooking, e. g. X1.5 - half full, X1.25 - a third full.

4. Cook in the oven for 45 mins. at 175 deg C or until with a toothpick it comes in and out cleanly (i. e. no indication of wetness in the batter).

5. When done, cool on a baking rack upside down and release after the loaf or round and add white frosting like Betty Crocker (R) or Sauce and keep in a cool, dry place before slicing and serving.

Brandy Sauce for the Cake:

If you like to continue cooking with liquiers here is a simple sauce based on brandy:

Ingredients: 1/4 c. brandy; 3 tblsp butter; 1 tblsp all-purpose flour; 1/4 c. H2O and 3/4 c. granulated sugar.

Instructions: Meld together the ingredients and boil gently until thickened and darkened somewhat.