2 c. brown sugar
1 c. shortening (butter)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c. sour milk (may add vinegar to make it sour)
3 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. raisins
1 c. currants
1 c. chopped dates
1 c. nuts (pecans or walnuts)
red or green candied cherries, diced (to suit)

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs. Add dry ingredients alternately with the milk. Fold in fruits and nuts. Pour into a large tube pan or several small loaf pans.

Bake at 300°F (tube pan) for 2 hours or at 325°F (loaf pans) for 1 hour.

To add color, top the batter with candied cherries before baking. To make the cake shiny, brush the top of it with melted butter when it is just about cooked. This cake is very easy and nice to give for gifts.