This is an economical family fruitcake.
1 cup sugar
2 cups mixed dried fruit
1/3 cup butter
1 cup cold water
1-1/2 – 2 teaspoons mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain flour
1 cup self raising flour
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 cup boiling water
Put sugar, fruit, butter, cold water, spice and salt in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes. Allow to cool. When cold, sift in flours. Dissolve bicarbonate of soda in boiling water, stir into cake mix. Put into prepared cake tin, bake at 180 C (375 F) for 1 hour. Allow to cool in tin.