Candied Fruitcake
["3 boxes dates (8 oz. size)", "1 lb. candied cherries", "1 lb. candied pineapple", "8 c. pecans", "1 tsp. cinnamon", "4 eggs", "1/2 tsp. cloves (optional)", "1/2 to 3/4 tsp. nutmeg (optional)", "1/2 tsp. salt", "2 tsp. baking powder", "1 c. sugar", "2 c. flour (plain)"]
["Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and spices into big bowl (or dishpan).", "Chop dates and pineapple into coarse pieces. Add whole cherries and mix all fruit with flour mixture, distributing fruit as evenly as possible.", "Beat eggs with sugar and add to other ingredients, mixing with hands.", "Add whole pecans and continue, mixing until nuts are evenly distributed."]
["dates", "candied cherries", "candied pineapple", "pecans", "cinnamon", "eggs", "nutmeg", "salt", "baking powder", "sugar", "flour"]