*Grandma's Fruitcake (*Grandma Cula Magnusson)

1 box 15oz. raisins             1 t ground cloves
2 ½ C water                        2 t heaping fresh soda
2 t cinnamon                       2 cubes margarine (I would use butter)
1 t allspice                           2 eggs   
1 t nutmeg                           2 C sugar
1 lb. sliced gumdrops (not black)
3 ¾ C sifted flour                1 8oz. cherries
1 8 oz. candied pineapple   1 C chopped nuts (walnuts) 

Simmer water and raisins together for 10 min. Add spices, soda, margarine—let stand 10 min. Slice fruit and add 3/4C flour to fruit. Add 1 C sugar to wet mixture.  Add 1 C sugar and 2 beaten eggs, then add to wet mixture. Mix everything.  Add 3 C flour, nuts, fruit.

Load 3 greased, floured big bread pans about ½ full. Cook at 300 for 35 min.—then reduce heat to 250 and cook for 45 min.   {watch them—may need to adjust}

Smaller pans: 18 min at 300, then 35 min at 250.

Cool in pans, 5-10 min, then on cookie sheet.

I was introduced to this fruitcake when I married Scott 36 years ago.  It's not your usual fruitcake recipe that everyone jokes about.  Maybe it's the gumdrops.  You'll really enjoy this holiday fruitcake.  If any Magnusson cousin makes this recipe, email me a picture and I'll post it with the recipe.