Gumdrop Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped candied cherries
• 1 cup chopped gumdrops
• 1 cup chopped dried apricots

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, stirring just until combined.
4. Fold in the walnuts, raisins, dates, cherries, gumdrops and apricots. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Interesting Facts

• Gumdrops are a type of candy made from sugar, corn syrup, and flavoring.
• Gumdrops have been around since the Middle Ages.
• Gumdrops are traditionally made with gelatin, but many modern recipes use cornstarch.
• Gumdrops come in a variety of flavors, including cherry, strawberry, orange, and lemon.