Classic Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced candied orange peel
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped pitted prunes
• 1 cup chopped candied pineapple
• ½ cup dried currants
• ½ cup dried cherries
• ¼ cup finely chopped candied (crystallized) ginger
• 1 cup sweet sherry or vinegar
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• ¾ cup ground almonds
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1/4 cup + 1/2 cup sweet sherry or brandy
• 1 cup chopped pecans, plus an additional 1 1/2 cups of whole pecans for garnish (optional)