Mike's Fabulous Fruitcake |
|
 |
Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 180 Minutes |
Ready In: 200 Minutes Servings: 12 |
|
I wanted to make fruitcake this year that people would enjoy and actually eat. Here is the recipe I came up with. My sister-in-law even asked for it! (Please note that my wife came up with the title, not me.) Time does not include curing. (can also make 3 to 4 full sized loaves, approx) Ingredients:
1 lb dried currant |
1 lb dried apricot |
1/2 lb dried dates |
1/2 lb dried fig |
1/4 lb candied orange peel |
1/4 lb candied lemon peel |
1/4 lb crystallized ginger |
1/2 lb walnuts |
3 cups southern comfort |
1 lb flour |
1 lb brown sugar |
1 lb butter |
2 tablespoons lyle golden syrup |
8 eggs |
1 teaspoon ground allspice |
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon |
1 teaspoon vanilla |
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg |
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves |
3 -4 cups southern comfort, for soaking,as needed (optional) |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
2. Coarsely chop fruit, orange and lemon peel, ginger, and walnuts, then soak overnight in Southern Comfort.
3. In a very large bowl (a very big KitchenAid mixer works well) beat together the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup, then beat in the eggs one at a time.
4. Add in flour, spices, and fruit-nut mixture.
5. Put in a greased 10-inch square pan or put in greased mini loaf pans; do not fill pans more than 2/3 full.
6. If using one pan, set it in a water bath to bake, but a water bath is not necessary for mini-loaves; bake at 275 degrees F for 3-4 hours (1-2 hours for mini loaves).
7. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean and dry.
8. Optional: soak finished fruitcake (s), wrapped in cheesecloth, in additional Southern Comfort.
9. Optional (preferred): let loaves cure for about 30 days in an airtight container in a cool place.
10. Makes about 25-30 mini loaves or 3 to 4 full sized loaves.
|
|