Real Old-Fashioned Fruitcake

Preheat oven to 250°.

Pour water in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; place pan on bottom rack in oven.

Coat an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; dust with 2 teaspoons flour.

Combine raisins, currants, citron, and 2 tablespoons flour, tossing well to coat; set aside.

Lightly spoon 3/4 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 3/4 cup flour, nutmeg, and next 5 ingredients (through cloves), stirring with a whisk.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; add sugar, stirring with a whisk. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons brandy, molasses, and eggs. Add flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Gradually stir in fruit mixture. Spoon batter into prepared pan; sharply tap pan once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 250° for 2 hours. Remove pan of water from oven; bake cake an additional 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Brush with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons brandy. Cool in pan 1 hour on a wire rack. Loosen cake from sides of pan with a knife. Remove cake from pan; cool completely. Wrap cake in plastic wrap; wrap cake in wrap with foil. Chill 24 hours before serving.