Holiday Cheddar Date Cake

* Exported from MasterCook II *

Holiday Cheddar Date Cake

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 20 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cakes Cheese
Desserts Fruits

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3/4 cup Butter -- Room Temperature
1 1/2 cups Light Brown Sugar -- Packed
4 each Eggs -- Lg
1 cup Cheddar; Sharp -- Shredded
3 1/2 cups Unbleached Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon -- Ground
1/4 teaspoon Cloves -- Ground
16 ounces Dates; Pitted -- Finely Chopped
2 cups Pecans -- Chopped
4 ounces Candied Cherries;Halved -- 1jar
2 cups Raisins -- Golden
1 cup Milk
-----DECORATIONS, *-----
4 each Candied Pineapple Slices
12 each Almonds -- Whole Blanched

* You can make a decorative design on the top of the cake by quartering the
candied Pineapple Slices and using the whole almonds, if desired.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. and grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan;
set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric
mixer on medium, until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating
well after each addition. Beat in the cheddar cheese. Sift the flour, baking
soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves into a medium bowl. In another medium bowl,
combine the dates, pecans, cherries and raisins. Add 2 Tbls of the flour
mixture, tossing lightly to coat the fruit and nuts.
Alternately beat the remaining flour mixture and milk into the butter mixture
until well blended. Stir in the floured fruit mixture by hand until
distributed throughout the batter. Turn into the prepared pan.
Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven until the cakes shrinks from
the side of the pan and the top springs back when lightly pressed.
Cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack then remove from the pan.
Cool completely on the wire rack. When cool, store in a container with a
tight lid for up to 6 weeks. To serve, cut into thin slices.

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