Graham Cracker Fruitcake

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 20
• 1 (8 ounce) package chopped dates
• 1 (4 ounce) container candied green cherries (no mint flavor)
• 2 (4 ounce) containers candied red cherries
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts (coarsely chopped) or 1 1/2 cups pecans (coarsely chopped)
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 2 tablespoons grated orange rind
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon clove
• 2 1/2 cups finely rolled graham crackers
• 1 1/4 cups butter
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 6 eggs (separated)
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Recipe

• 1 in a very large bowl combine the first seven ingredients with 1/2 cup flour.
• 2 mix the remaining flour with the next five ingredients.
• 3 stir in the graham cracker crumbs.
• 4 in a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar till creamy.
• 5 gradually add egg yolks and beat till thick and fluffy.
• 6 add the graham crumb mixture and blend well.
• 7 stir into fruit mixture with orange juice.
• 8 in separate bowl, beat egg whites till stiff but not dry; fold into graham cracker mixture.
• 9 turn into a well-greased 10" tube pan and bake in 325 degree oven for 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours.
• 10 cool in pan for 30 minutes then take out and put on rack to cool completely.