Holiday Fruit Cake - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2/3 c. butter or shortening
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. water or fruit juice
1/4 c. honey
2 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 lb. fancy diced mixed fruit
1/2 c. pecans or almonds or walnuts
1 c. sifted flour

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs and mix together. Add water (or fruit juice) and honey, mixing well. In small bowl, sift together the 2 cups flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Mix the 1 cup of sifted flour with the fancy diced mixed fruit and nuts and add to the batter. Line 2 greased 3 1/2 x 7 1/2-inch loaf pans with waxed paper, allowing 1/2-inch to extend above all sides of pan. Pour batter into pans. Do not flatten. Bake in preheated 275\u00b0 oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Place pan containing 2 cups water on bottom shelf while baking. Cakes baked with water in oven have greater volume, moist texture and a smooth, shiny glaze. If decoration of nuts and cherries are used, place on cake at end of 2 hours. Store in a covered container in a cool place. This recipe makes about 4 1/2 pounds.