* Use 1/4 cup bourbon, dark rum or brandy with 1/4 cup wine or 1/2 cup prune, apricot or grape juice.

See "About Butter Cakes" and "About Fruit Cakes" for tips.

Pre-heat oven to 275. Have all ingredients at about 75 deg. Sift the flour before measuring. Reserve one cup and re-sift the three cups with the spices and salt.

Wash the currants; cut up the raisins, dates and figs with scissors; and coarsely break the pecan meats. [I prefer dates, figs or more raisins to the traditional nuts- Jw] Sprinkle these ingredients with the one cup of flour.

Cream the butter until soft. Sift the brown sugar and add gradually, mixing after each addition. Beat in the beaten egg yolks in 3 batches. Add the flour mixture in thirds alternating with the liquor or fruit juice. Fold in the floured fruit and nuts. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry and fold into the batter.

Prepare 2 4 1/2"x 8 " loaf pans And 2 9" tube pans and bake at 275 for 3 to 4 hr. If 2 large 5 lb pans are used allow 5 hr. Place a shallow pan of water in the oven. Remove it for the last hour of baking. Cool and store.

Recipe from the Joy of Cooking, adapted by Jim Weller.