Brazil Nut Christmas Fruit Cake

Combine nuts, dates, raisins, orange peel and cherries. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt over fruits and nuts, making sure all are well-coated. Beat the eggs well with the vanilla extract and add to flour-fruit mixture.

Grease two 9- x 5-inch loaf pans, line with brown paper, then grease the paper. Pour in the batter and bake at 300 degrees F for 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours. Cool, then wrap in Saran wrap.

After several days, brush loaves with brandy if desired. Best to make these about 3 weeks before you want to serve them.