1 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. sugar
Grated peel of 2 oranges
3 c. each diced pitted prunes, dried figs, dried apricots, yellow raisins, chopped walnuts
6 eggs
2 1/2 c. flour

Cream butter until fluffy; beat in sugar gradually. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in vanilla, orange peel, flour, and baking powder. Beat until smooth. Fold in fruits and nuts.

Grease 2 loaf pans, line with foil or brown paper, and grease again. Spoon mixture into pans, pressing to eliminate air spaces and smoothing top. Cover pans with greased foil. Bake at 275 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Remove foil; raise temperature to 300 degrees and bake 1 hour longer. When cooled, wrap loaves in cheesecloth soaked in rum. "Cure" for 4 weeks.

I usually make this Thanksgiving weekend and it's ready for the holidays!