butter & fruit gingerbread cake with fig frosting

Ingredients

• GINGERBREAD
• 1 cup butter
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup dark molasses
• 3 - egg whites
• 3 - egg yolks
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
• 1/4 cup raisins, yellow and purple
• 1/4 cup diced, figs
• 1/4 cup dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup cranberries, dried
• 1/4 cup red currants (can substitute with cherries)
• - zest of half a lemon
• - juice of half a lemon
• FIG CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
• 2 packages cream cheese
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup diced figs
• 1/2 cup sherry or brandy
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• - lemon zest to taste