Christmas Fruitcake

Ingredients:
1 package currants 1 1/2 lbs butter
4 to 5 lbs. mixed fruit 2 cups sherry
4 lbs. shelled walnuts 1 cup brandy
3 lbs dates 8 cups flour
1 lb cherries 4 tbsp nutmeg
1 lb pineapple 2 tbsp each allspice, cinnamon, mace, cloves
4 cups sugar 1 tsp soda
1 cup Karo syrup 1 tsp salt
12 eggs

Mix all fruit and nuts with 1/2 of flour. Mix sugar, syrup, eggs, spices and butter. Gradually add soda, salt and rest of flour. Alternately add fruit mixture and booze, mixing well.

In 1 lb loaf pans, place a layer of waxed paper. Add dough. Bake at 200 degrees for 3 hours. Makes 30 loaves.

This is one of Nana's recipes. She would make these on Thanksgiving weekend, and keep them in the refrigerator. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, she would sprinkle a shot of brandy onto each loaf to soak up.