Allow 8 hrs.preparation time, from the time you start until you take bread out of oven.
Dissolve 3 cakes of yeast in 3/4 cup lukewarm water.
Scald 4 cups milk, cool to 90° F.
Add yeast, 1 cup sugar, 4 cups flour, 1 tbs.ground cardamom and mix to a smooth sponge; set in warm place for about 2 hours, until light.
Melt & warm carefully 1 1/2 cups butter, 3 cups sugar, 2 tbs. salt, 1 tbs. vanilla, 1 tbs.grated orange peel, and 9 beaten eggs.
Add to sponge; work in about 3 quarts flour and knead for 5 min.
Add fruit, raisins and nuts and knead for another 5 min.
Set in a warm place to rise till double in bulk.
Mold into loaves of any shape.
Put into juice cans or loaf pans that have been greased.
Let rise; bake in 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.
ln place of candied fruits listed, you may substitute 2 cups of fruit cake mix.
For a sweeter taste, use 2 cups of fruit medley (apricots, apples, peaches, pears and dried raisins).
The 1 cup of chopped nuts may be walnuts, pecans, or a combination of both.
Note; When dividing recipe in half, use 2 cakes yeast, 1/2 cup water, and 4 eggs.