White Christmas White Fruit Cake

Dice fruit and coarsely chop nuts. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and blend well.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to fruit and nut mixture, and blend together with wooden spoon. Gradually stir in vanilla and orange juice.

Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter. Turn batter into 2 well-greased 8" tube pans lined on the bottom with waxed or heavy brown paper.

Bake in a preheated, very slow oven (275 degrees F) 2 hours and 15 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Place a pan of hot water under cake pans during baking period.

If desired, turn batter into 7 well greased and lined 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" loaf pans. Bake in a preheated very slow oven (275 degrees F) for 1 hour or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cook pans on rack a half hour.

Remove from pans. Peel off paper and cool completely.