Good-Cooking - Wedding Fruit Cake

Ingredients

• 1 pound shortening
• 1 pound brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 12 egg yolks, well beaten
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons allspice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mace
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 3 pounds seeded raisins, cut in pieces
• 2 pounds sultana raisins
• 1 1/2 pounds candied citron, sliced thin and cut into strips
• 1 pound dried currants
• 1/4 cup chopped preserved lemon rind
• 1/2 cup chopped preserved orange rind
• 1 cup brandy
• 4 ounces chocolate melted (optional)
• 12 egg whites, beaten stiff
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water