Christmas Fruit Cake

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long  (courtesy http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html)

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.
Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.
Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)
Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.
If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December:))))

To add to this sweet recipe celebrating the christmas spirit, here is a simple and easy (breaking actual xmas tradition :)recipe for a fruit cake..again adapted from my favourite baking site.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone :)))

Ingredients (makes two 6 inch  diameter cakes)

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup (50 grams) butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons dark rum/brandy (optional)
1 cup raisins
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried prunes,chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped

1.Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celcius
2.In a large saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil the sugar, water, butter, spices, and raisins,prunes and apricots.  Boil for five minutes, remove from heat, and let cool till lukewarm.
3 Stir into this mixture the lightly beaten eggs, flour, baking soda, vanilla extract and rum/brandy .
4. Pour into the greased baking dish pan and bake on center rack for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.  Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
5.Dust with icing sugar and serve :)

The sliced view..you can use only prunes and raisins if apricots are not available..substitute accordingly