Grandma's Dried Apple Fruitcake

Combine the dried apples and boiling water in a bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes. Drain off the liquid.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 8x4-inch loaf pans.

In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, white sugar, shortening, molasses, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking soda. Mix with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.

With the mixer running, add the flour one cup at a time until it is mixed in. Scrape down the sides as needed.

By hand, stir in the apples, raisins, dates, and citrus.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans. Place the pans in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until the bread tests done.

Remove the pans from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes then turn the bread out onto cooling racks to cool completely.

Store the bread well wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This bread also freezes well.