Christmas Lizzies

Ingredients

 * ½ cup brown sugar
 * ¼ cup butter
 * 1½ tsp soda
 * 1 tsp ground cloves
 * 1 tsp ground nutmeg
 * 1 tsp ground cinnamon
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 6 tbsp whiskey or brandy
 * 1½ tbsp buttermilk
 * 1½ cup flour, divided
 * ½ lbs seedless white raisins
 * ½ lbs chopped dates (optional)
 * 1 lbs candied cherries cut in half
 * ½ lbs chopped citron or 4 oz grated lemon peel + 4 oz grated orange peel
 * 1 lbs pecans, chopped or halved

Directions

 * 1) Heat oven to 250°F.
 * 2) Cream together sugar, butter, soda, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
 * 3) Add beaten eggs and mix well, then add buttermilk, liquor, and one-half cup of the flour.
 * 4) In a separate bowl, combine fruits and pecans with the remaining one cup flour, then mix into a batter.
 * 5) Drop by tablespoonful (a clump about the size of a small egg) onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 35 minutes.
 * 6) Bake one sheet at a time; remaining batter can stand either in mixing bowl or, after being dropped, on baking sheets without loosing its quality.
 * 7) When done, cool, pack in shallow tin or other container, and cover with cheesecloth.
 * 8) Drizzle with whiskey and brandy through the cheesecloth; repeat every few days.
 * 9) No need to refrigerate.
 * 10) Can be made three weeks ahead of Christmas.
 * 11) Can be eaten immediately after cooling.

Nutritional information
Per serving (48):
 * 162 calories,
 * 2 g protein,
 * 9 g fat,
 * 21 g carbohydrate,
 * 17 mg cholesterol,
 * 66 mg sodium