Christmas Dried Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 cup finely chopped mixed dried fruit (prunes, apricots, pears, apples, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon flour

Directions

1. 1

   Dust the fruit with the 1 Tablespoon of flour to make it easier to combine with the cake batter.

2. 2

   Cream the butter/margarine with the sugar until light and lemon colored.

3. 3

   Add the eggs and beat until thick.

4. 4

   Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt.

5. 5

   Mix into batter, and then stir in the orange peel and the dried fruit.

6. 6

   Turn into a well-greased loaf pan (5"x9").

7. 7

   Bake in 350-degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.