*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                        GRANDMOTHER'S FRUITCAKE

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 2    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cakes                            Holiday

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  4       c            All-purpose flour, divided
  1       lb           Chopped dates
  1       lb           Candied citron
  1       lb           Chopped pecans
  1       lb           Dried figs, coarsely chopped
  1       pk           Raisins (15-oz.)
  1       pk           Currants (10-oz.)
  1       c            Butter or margarine,
                       - softened
  2       c            Sugar
 12       lg           Eggs, beaten
  1       c            Milk
    3/4   c            Light corn syrup
  2       ts           Baking soda
  2       ts           Ground nutmeg
  2       ts           Ground cinnamon
  2       ts           Ground allspice
  1       t            Baking powder
  1       c            Brandy
 15                    Pecan halves (optional)
                       Brandy
  3                    Red candy cherry halves,
                       - (optional)

 MAKE a liner for a 10-inch tube pan by drawing an
 18-inch circle on brown paper (not recycled). Cut out
 circle; set pan in center, and draw around base of pan
 and inside tube. Remove pan, and fold circle into
 eighths with lines on the outside.

 CUT off pointed tip of triangle along line. Unfold
 paper, cut along folds to the outside line. Place
 liner in pan; grease and set aside. Repeat procedure
 for second pan.

 COMBINE 1/2-cup flour, dates, and next 5 ingredients
 in a large bowl, tossing gently to coat. Set aside.

 BEAT butter at medium speed with an electric mixer
 until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add
 eggs, beating until blended after each addition. Add
 milk and corn syrup, mixing well.

 COMBINE remaining 3 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, and
 next 4 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately
 with 1 cup brandy, beginning and ending with flour
 mixture. Mix at low speed after each addition until
 blended. Pour over fruit mixture; stir well. Spoon
 batter into prepared pans. Place pecan halves in flour
 designs on top of batter, if desired.

 BAKE at 350 F for 1 hour or until a wooden pick
 inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Remove
 from oven; cool completely in pans on wire racks.

 REMOVE cakes from pans, peel paper from cakes. Wrap in
 brandy-soaked cheesecloth; store in airtight
 containers in a cool place. Pour a little brandy over
 cakes each week for at least 1 month. Before serving,
 place cherry halves in center of pecan flowers, if
 desired.



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