I have a confession to make...I've never made fruitcake, I've never even had a fruitcake I liked- oh and I'm not really a baker...at all....

So when I got an offer for help shortly after I posted my intention to make fruitcake on Facebook, I was kinda relieved. Little did I know, I was in the midst of a Christmas miracle, and the offer came from someone who actually creates and tests recipes...as a profession!!!! Ye gads how lucky am I?!?!?

After a morning at Ann O'Donoghue's house, not only did I walk away with a new recipe she created which combined elements we liked from 3 different recipes, I learned helpful tips all along the way (put a damp paper towel under your mixing bowl to keep it from sliding) that I am eager to pass on.

Oh, and now I know for certain that fruitcake is FANTABULOUS, bourbon simple syrup with boozy fruit is divine...and Christmas angels are real....