My mother was truly a wonderful cook, and giving homemade treats for Christmas brought her so much joy, and the recipients were always delighted. She loved to try new recipes from all of her favorite ladies’ magazines, and this recipe probably came from one of her magazines or the package of vanilla wafers, but it became known in our family as Mimi’s Vanilla Wafer Fruitcake that she made every Christmas. Even people who did not like fruitcakes loved this fruitcake. It is so simple to prepare and so very delicious. You must try it, and it just may become a tradition for your family too!
Mimi’s Vanilla Wafer Fruitcake
1 (13½-ounce) package vanilla wafers
4 cups pecan halves
1 cup red candied cherries
1 cup yellow candied pineapple
½ cup white raisins
2 eggs
½ cup sugar
1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large zipper bag, crush vanilla wafers very fine with a rolling pin; set aside. Chop pecans, reserving 16 pecan halves. Chop candied fruit, reserving 6 half cherries; set aside. In a bowl, mix together crumbs, chopped pecans, chopped candied fruit, and raisins; set aside. With mixer, beat eggs. Add sugar, milk, and salt. Stir in crumb mixture, and blend well. Pack mixture into a wax paper-lined 10-inch tube pan or 2 (4 x 7½-inch) loaf pans. Decorate with reserved whole pecans and cherry halves. Bake for 45 minutes.
Yield: 16-20 servings