Light Fruit Cake: If desired, in a bowl combine the candied mixed peel, cherries, and dark raisins.

Stir in the alcohol, cover, and let sit at room temperature at least a day (up to two days). Stir occasionally. When ready to make the cake batter, preheat oven to 3 ! de"rees # ($%! de"rees &), with the oven rack in the center of the oven. 'utter, or spray with a nonstick ve"etable spray, a ( x x 3 inch ()3 x $3 x % cm) loaf pan. In a separate bowl, whisk to"ether the flour, "round almonds, bakin" powder, salt, and lemon *est. In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and su"ar until li"ht and fluffy. +dd the e""s, one at a time, beatin" well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. 'eat in the extracts. +dd the candied and dried fruits, alon" with any ,uices, and beat until incorporated. 'eat in half the flour mixture ,ust until incorporated. -hen beat in the milk and then the remainin" flour mixture. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and, if desired, decorate the top of the cake with sliced or flaked almonds. 'ake for about .! / 0! minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (If you find the cake is brownin" too much, cover with a piece of aluminum foil.) 1emove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about $! minutes before removin" from pan. -he cake does benefit from bein" stored a day or two before servin", as this softens the outer crust and allows the flavors to min"le. 2ou can cover and store this cake for about a week at room temperature or it can be fro*en. 3akes one loaf.

Light Fruit Cake: 345 cup ($)! "rams) candied mixed peel $4) cup ($!! "rams) candied red or "reen cherries (cut into 6uarters) $43 cup (5! "rams) dark raisins )/3 tablespoons 7rand 3arnier, rum, brandy, or sherry (optional) $4) cup ($$3 "rams) unsalted butter, room temperature $4) cup ($!! "rams) "ranulated white su"ar 3 lar"e e""s, room temperature $4) teaspoon pure vanilla extract $45 teaspoon pure almond extract $ $4) cups ($( "rams) all/purpose flour $45 teaspoons salt 8est of one small lemon (outer skin) $45 cup (.! ml) milk (whole or reduced fat) $4) cup ( ! "rams) "round almonds (almond meal4flour) $ teaspoon bakin" powder