Jeweled Fruitcake

This yummy fruitcake is packed with colorful dried fruits and rich Brazil nuts.

Makes 32 servings

2 cups dried apricot halves (11 ounces)
2 cups pitted whole dates (12 ounces)
1 1/2 cups Brazil nuts (8 ounces)
1 cup red and green candied pineapple, chopped (7 ounces)
1 cup red and green whole maraschino cherry, drained (12 ounces)
3/4 cup Gold Medal� all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
Light corn syrup, if desired

1. Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Line loaf pan, 9 x 5 x 3 or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, with aluminum foil; grease foil. Mix all the ingredients except corn syrup. Spread in pan.

2. Bake about 1 hour 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If necessary, cover with aluminum foil for last 30 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning.

3. Remove fruitcake from pan (with foil) to wire rack. For a glossy top, immediately brush with corn syrup. Cool completely before cutting, about 24 hours. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator no longer than 2 months.

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 160 (Calories from Fat 45 ); Total Fat 5 g (Saturated Fat 1 g); Cholesterol 20 mg; Sodium 55 mg; Total Carbohydrate 29 g (Dietary Fiber 3 g); Protein 3 g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 14 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 2 %; Iron 6 %

Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Fruit; 1/2 Fat

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Variation:
Make Petite Fruitcakes when you place a paper or foil baking cup in each of 24 medium muffin cups, 2 1/2 x 1 1/4 inches. Divide batter evenly among cups (about 1/3 cup each). Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to wire rack. Makes 24 servings.

Planned-Overs:
Enjoy chocolate-coated fruitcake drops! Cut leftover fruitcake into 1-inch cubes. Spear each cube with a toothpick and dip into melted chocolate candy coating (almond bark). Set fruitcake cubes on waxed paper to harden.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker � 2007 �/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved