- Combine first eight ingredients in a saucepan and bring to low boil while stirring continually. Reduce heat and let simmer 5 minutes. Remove to cool.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Once cooled to lukewarm, slowly stir the liquid spice/fruit mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold in chopped pecans. Pour into two large well-greased loaf pans.
- Arrange pecan halves in a decorative pattern on the top of the loaves.
- Bake 1 hour at 300 degrees.
- With a brush, gently apply a coat of corn syrup over the cakes. (A few tablespoons of bourbon or rum may be added to the corn syrup.)
- Continue baking one hour, or until a toothpick come out of the cakes cleanly. Cool.
- For an adult dessert, a few tablespoons of bourbon or rum can be poured on each slice prior to serving.
