HELEN'S WHOLE FRUIT CAKE

1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder (rounded)1 c. flour
1 lb. whole dates
1/2 lb. candied cherries, green & red
2 c. English walnut meats
1 c. Brazil nuts (whole)
4 egg yolks, beaten
1 c. sugar
1 tbsp. brandy flavoring
1/2 c. orange juice or apricot juice
1 tsp. vanilla
4 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Sift together sugar, baking powder and flour. Add whole dates, cherries, walnut meats and Brazil nuts. Add 4 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, brandy flavoring, orange juice or apricot juice, and vanilla. Mix all together real good. Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour into tube pan, greased and floured. Bake in 250 degree oven 1 1/2 hours. Cool. Soak cheesecloth in brandy. Wrap cake in cheesecloth, then in foil. Glaze and decorate with candied cherries. Optional: 1 cup coconut, 1 cup candied fruit or 1/2 cup orange peel. Mother of LaVona & LaVelda Richmond