Christmas Lizzies

Cream together brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add beaten eggs to the creamed mixture and blend thoroughly, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Combine whiskey (or brandy) and buttermilk in a small bowl, then add alternately to the egg mixture with the flour, beginning and ending with flour. Stir just until combined.

In a separate large bowl, combine soda, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Mix in the seedless white raisins, chopped dates (if using), candied cherries, chopped citron, grated orange peel, and chopped pecans.

Fold the fruit and nut mixture into the batter gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed.

Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.

Cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.