Sweet Bread (Christmas Cake)(Virgin Islands Native Recipe)

• 1 yeast cake
• 1 c. warm water
• 3 lb. flour
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 1/4 lb. shortening
• 1 1/2 lb. sugar
• 6 eggs
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 lb. currants
• 1/2 lb. raisins
• 1/2 lb. prunes
• 1/4 lb. citron
• 1 tsp. mace
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 4 tsp. orange peel
• 1 qt. milk (hot)
• 2 oz. bitter almonds
• 1/4 lb. sweet almonds

1. Dissolve yeast cake into 1 cup of warm water.
2. Add flour enough to make stiff batter.
3. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; beat until smooth.
4. Cover and set to rise.
5. Cream shortening and sugar.
6. Add eggs, one at a time.
7. Add prepared yeast mixture and salt.
8. Add fruits and beat well.
9. Sift flour with spices, add alternately with hot milk.
10. Beat until light.
11. Add nuts.
12. Pour into greased tins; allow to rise double in size.
13. Brush with syrup before and after baking.
14. (Syrup is made of brown sugar and water.)
15. Bake at 375u0b0.
16. The addition of 1/4 cup of cherry cordial or guavaberry liquor gives it the Christmas touch!

yeast, water, flour, sugar, cinnamon, shortening, sugar, eggs, salt, currants, raisins, prunes, citron, mace, cloves, nutmeg, orange peel, milk, bitter, sweet almonds

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=495692 (may not work)