St. Nicholas Cake - FINITE FOODIE

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried figs (or dried apricots)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries, raisins, or currants)
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry (or orange juice)
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter ((1/2 stick))
• 1/2 cup brown sugar ((firmly packed))
• 2 tablespoons cream (or half-and-half)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 large eggs
• 4 cups whole dates ((Medjool recommended))
• 3 cups walnut pieces (or pecan pieces)