HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE Recipe

Chop the fruit to suit your preference. In a large bowl, mix the fruit and liquid. Let stand overnight, stirring a few times. Add nuts and stir to soak while you prepare the batter. Beat the butter and add the sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Stir in flour and soda. Add fruit and nuts, mixing well. Put in well-lined loaf pan. Cover pan with foil. Bake at 275 'for 4 hours. Remove the foil and bake at 325" for = hour. When cool, baste with brandy and wrap well. Allow to season. Makes one loaf.
Note: In our house, the Multimedia Grandpa likes to get into it before it has had a chance to age. I usually prepare two cakes so he can have lots of sample. I make one cake without nuts and increase the fruit to 4 1/2 cups.