Roland's Fruit Cake

Roland's fruit cake recipe is a unique family tradition for me because my brother, Roland Noel, combined his own ingredients to get the delicious results. It is a special recipe because it was the fruit cake used in two family wedding cakes. It has also become the traditional treat for our family at Christmas time. Boil the following mixture of ingredients for 10 minutes:

1 pkg. raisins
1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
3 cups cold water
1/2 cup cherries or mixed fruit
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon

It is very important that this mixture be completely cold before continuing with the recipe. When it is completely cold, stir 1 tsp. baking soda into 1 tsp. water. Add to mixture.

Then add 4 cups flour, 1 tsp. baking powder and dash of salt to the mixture. Grease and flour a tube pan and bake for 1 hour at 325 F.