Use Plastic Wrap and Pretty Ribbon : Time to Decide on Holiday Desserts and Hostess Gifts

Here are two tasty desserts for the upcoming holidays.

No-Bake Fruitcake is made easily with graham cracker crumbs, fruit, marshmallows and sweetened condensed milk. Wrapped in plastic wrap and tied with a pretty ribbon, flavorful Date-Nut Bread is also ideal given as a hostess gift.

NO-BAKE FRUITCAKE

4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup mixed candied fruit

1 cup golden raisins

1 cup chopped dates

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Combine graham cracker crumbs, candied fruit, raisins, dates, nuts, marshmallows and milk in large bowl, first with spoon, then with hands, until crumbs are thoroughly moistened. Pack into wax-paper-lined 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover tightly and chill at least 48 hours before slicing. Makes 1 (2 1/2-pound) cake.

DATE-NUT BREAD

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup pitted dates, cut up

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 egg, beaten

2 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup nuts, chopped

Pour boiling water over dates. Add baking soda, then allow to cool. Add butter, sugar, egg, flour, salt and nuts and mix well. Pour into greased and floured 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees about 1 1/2 hours. Makes 1 loaf.