Dark Fruit Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. water
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 c. Crisco
1 box raisins, plumped
1 small jar strawberry preserves (about 1/2 cup)
candied cherries
nuts (optional)
2 eggs
3 c. flour
3 tsp. baking soda

Preparation

Combine all ingredients, except the flour, soda and eggs in a pot.
Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes.
Watch carefully and don't scorch.
Remove from stove and add 3 teaspoons of baking soda.
Cool mixture.
When cold, add 2 eggs (beaten) and the 3 cups of flour.
Add to greased loaf pans.
Makes 2 loaves. Bake at 325\u00b0 until done.
This does cook slowly and can take more than 1 hour.
Test with toothpick for doneness.
Makes a moist cake.
Comes out more like a bread.