Serves: 32
Total Calories: 74

1 cup dried red cherries
1 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped mixed dried fruit
1 (10-ounce) can deluxe mixed nuts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 package Betty Crocker SuperMoist white (vanilla) cake mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup brandy or 2 teaspoons brandy extract plus 1/4 cup water
1 package (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons brandy or 1 teaspoon brandy extract plus 2 tablespoons water
pecans, halves, if desired
candied cherries, if desired

1- Heat oven to 300°. Generously grease 2 loaf pans, 9 x 5 x 3 inches, with shortening lightly flour.

2- Toss dried cherries, apricots, dates, cranberries, mixed fruit, nuts and flour in very large bowl. Beat cake mix, butter, 1/4 cup brandy, the pudding mix (dry) and eggs in large bowl with electric mixture on medium speed 1 minute (batter may climb beaters slightly). Spoon batter over fruit and nut mixture mix well (batter will be very stiff). Press batter evenly into pans.

3- Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out almost clean and loaves are golden brown. Cool 30 minutes on wire rack.

4- Remove loaves from pans to wire rack. Mix corn syrup and 2 tablespoons brandy in small bowl brush on warm loaves. Garnish with pecan halves and candied cherries. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Store tightly wrapped in refrigerator at least 24 hours before slicing. Store any remaining fruitcake tightly wrapped in refrigerator.

High Altitude (3500 to 6500 feet): Heat oven to 325°. Decrease butter to 1/4 cup increase 1/4 cup brandy to 1/3 cup. Bake 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.

1 Slice: Calories 240 (Calories from Fat 90) Fat 10g (Saturated 4g) Cholesterol 25mg Sodium 240mg Carbohydrate 37g (Dietary Fiber 2g) Protein 3g. % Daily Value: Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 4% Iron 4%.

Betty's Tip: You'll find it easiest to cut these dense and fruity loaves into slices if you use a thin-bladed serrated knife.

From "Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook." Text Copyright 2004 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 32
Total Calories: 74
Calories from Fat: 28

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Easter Basket Cake
Easter Bunny Cake
Flag Day Cake
Gingerbread Cake Cottage
Halloween Black Cat Cake
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Holiday Eggnog Cake
Jack-o-Lantern Cake
May Day Baskets
New Year's Eve Champagne Cake
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread
Rudolph Cupcakes
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