Holiday Sweets Across the USA-- Part 2: Divinity, Fruitcake & Lebkuchen

DIVINITY--  South

This sweet confection, made with egg whites, corn syrup and sugar, is like a Southern version of nougat and a must-have in many family Christmas baking lineups.

FRUITCAKE--  Everywhere, but especially Texas.

We can't claim to have invented the fruitcake (variations of it date back to the ancient Rome), but American cooks, especially those in the South, have a particular love for this rich, candied-fruit-and-but-studded, often boozy holiday standby.

Some cooks prefer fruitcake cookies --known as "Texas Lizzies" or "Christmas Lizzies," depending on the location.  One of my favorites, despite the bad opinion most I know have of it.  Few things better than a bog ol' slice of fruitcake with whip cream on top of it.

LEBKUCHEN--  Midwest

German settlers brought this traditional warm-spiced and ice cookie recipe with them to the Midwest.

Yum, Good!!  I Like Fruitcakes and Don't Care Who Knows.  --RoadDog