Classic Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 2 cups candied lemon rind
• 2 cups candied orange rind
• 1½ cups dried apricots
• 1½ cups dried calymyrna figs
• 1½ cups candied cherries
• 1½ cups candied pineapple
• 1½ cups candied citron
• 1 cup crystallized ginger
• 3 cups raisins
• 3 cups dried currants
• 2½ cups orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
• 3 cups cognac
• 2½ cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 3 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground mace
• 2 tsp. powdered instant espresso
• 1 lb. butter
• 2¼ cups dark brown sugar
• 9 eggs
• 1¼ cups molasses
• 7 cups pecan halves
• 7 cups walnut halves