Christmas Fruitcake Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, separated
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 lb candied cherry, finely chopped
1/2 lb candied pineapple, finely chopped
1/2 lb white raisins
1 quart shelled pecans, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda, dissolved in a little water

Preparation

Cream butter, add sugar, then beaten egg yolks. Sprinkle some of the flour over the fruit and pecans. Add spices and salt to remaining flour.
Combine butter, fruit and flour mixtures. Add vanilla extract and baking soda.
Beat egg whites until stiff and fold together butter/flour mixture. Drop scant teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350\u00b0F for 10 - 15 minutes. Batter may be prepared several weeks ahead. Freezes well before and after baking.