Awesome Fruitcake

Step 1: Keeping ingredients separate, course chop first four ingredients by hand. Do NOT try to use a food processor. There is too much sugar in the candied fruit to use a food processor. You will end up with a mess. Set aside each ingredient.

Step 2: By hand, whisk together eggs and sugar until well mixed.

Step 3: Sift all dry ingredients together, set aside.

Step 4: In a large bowl (This is going to be your mixing bowl. Make sure it is large enough to work in.) spread all of the cherries in the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle with 1/3 of dry ingredient mixture, add 1/3 of pecans, stir or toss with your hands.

Step 5: Add all of pineapple, sprinkle with 1/3 of the dry ingredient mixture, add 1/3 of pecans, stir or toss with your hands.

Step 6: Add all of the dates, sprinkle with remaining dry ingredient mixture, add remaining pecans, stir or toss with your hands.

Step 7: Pour egg and sugar mixture over fruit and nut mixture. Mix well by hand.

Step 8: Line two small (5"x9") loaf pans with waxed paper. Pack half of mixture into each loaf pan.

Step 9: Bake at 225 degrees for approximately three hours or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. If you are using dark pans lower oven temp 25 degrees and start checking doneness at 2 1/2 hours.

Step 10: Let cool in pans. Turn out and remove waxed paper. Slice and serve with whipped cream or butter. You may also cut into bite sized pieces for ease of serving on a buffet or holiday gift plate.