Holiday Bourbon Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, and dates, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup candied cherries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and bourbon.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet until just blended.
4. Fold in the dried fruit, pecans, and cherries. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Interesting Facts

• Fruitcakes are one of the oldest known cakes, dating back to the Roman Empire.
• Bourbon is a distilled spirit made from mostly corn and aged in oak barrels.
• Fruitcakes can last for years if stored properly in a cool, dry place.