What you need

• 3 cups coarsely chopped Brazil nuts or other nuts (walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts)
• 1 pound pitted dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup halved maraschino cherries
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What you do

1. In a large bowl, combine the nuts, dates and cherries. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; add to nut mixture, stirring until nuts and fruit are well coated.
2. In a small bowl, beat eggs until foamy; stir in vanilla. Fold into nut mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased and parchment paper-lined 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan.
3. Bake at 300° for 1-3/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 24 servings.