Christmas Nut Loaves

18 ounces chopped dates (the pre-chopped variety work fine)
1 pound candied pineapple
1/2 pound red candied cherries
1/2 pound green candied cherries
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 pounds pecans
Cut up pineapples and dates. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and mix with the fruit. Beat eggs and add sugar. Combine with the fruit mixture. Add nuts and mix.
For a tube pan or four 9"x5"x2" loaf pans, grease pan(s) and line with parchment paper. Grease the paper, too. If using tube pan, bake at 275° for 1 hour and 15 minutes. If using larger loaf pans, bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Alternately, you can use eight, small (5 3/4"x3"x2 1/8") loaf pans and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. (This is my favorite option because you can give the loaves as convenient holiday gifts.)