Election Day Cake

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups dried fruit (like cranberries, raisins, blueberries)
• 1/2 cup Brandy
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 package rapid-rise yeast
• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick butter, cubed
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions:
Combine 1/2 cup of the sugar with the water in a small saucepan. Simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the dried fruit in a large bowl. Add the sugar mixture and brandy; stir and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine warm water and milk.
Combine yeast with 1 cup of whole-wheat flour and add to the milk mixture. Sprinkle the remaining whole-wheat flour on top. Yeast will break through the surface of the flour in about 30 minutes.
Sift together remaining dry ingredients. Drain the fruit mixture.
In a mixer, beat the butter and remaining 1 cup of sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
Turn the mixer to low speed. Add the flour and yeast mixture, blending well. Add remaining sifted dry ingredients. Stir in the drained fruit.
Place the batter in the pan, cover, and set in a warm area to allow the cake to rise, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Prepare glaze. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons water or milk. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Spray an 8-inch tube pan. Bake cake in a preheated 350º F oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes then turn upside down. When cool, top with glaze.