½ cup hot coffee

¾ cup chopped, pitted dates (about 8 Medjool)

1 cup dried cherries

½ cup raisins or golden raisins

2 tablespoons dark rum or brandy

1 ¼ cup white whole-wheat flour (see *ingredient note)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons ground/powdered ginger

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2/3 cup canola oil

½ cup unsulphered molasses

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon orange zest

½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

½ cup chopped toasted pecans, plus 48 pecan halves for decorating

2 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger

¼ cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)