Fruit Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. 2
   In a mixing bowl, with a paddle attachment cream the butter and lard together.
3. 3
   Add the sugar and continue creaming.
4. 4
   Add the eggs gradually and mix until well incorporated.
5. 5
   Then, add each ingredient one at a time and blend in. Turn batter out into a loaf pan (best for doorstops) lined with parchment paper.
6. 6
   Bake 1 hour and 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees F and bake an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes.
7. 7
   Let cool in the pan. Wrap in plastic and let mature a few days. If you like, you can dip it or baste it with brandy, wrap it in cheesecloth, and store in a cool place for months (maybe even decades).