Chocolate Fruitcake

Chocolate fruitcakes with candied red and green cherries, nuts, and candied pineapple, along with chocolate and other ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup halved red candied cherries, halved
• 1 cup halved green candied cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple, optional
• 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or combination of walnuts and pecans
• candied red and green cherries, for garnish

Preparation:

Melt butter and chocolate in a large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Remove from heat, and cool for about 15 minutes. Stir in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add flour and salt, stirring until blended. Stir in candied fruits and nuts. Spoon mixture into 4 generously greased and floured 5 x 3 x 2-inch loaf pans.
Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool on wire racks.
Seal cakes in heavy-duty plastic wrap and chill thoroughly before cutting. Garnish with candied cherries, if desired. These loaves can be frozen.
Makes 4 loaves.