Best Brandied Fruit Recipes

BRANDIED DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the currants, cranberries, cherries, pears and apricots. Zest the orange and add the zest to the bowl. Add the lemon, ginger, anise seeds, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom.
• Juice the orange and add the liquid to the bowl. Add the brandy and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to a jar, cover and refrigerate. (If you don't have a jar that's large enough, keep the mixture in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.) Allow the fruit to sit in the liquid for 2 to 14 days before using. The flavor of the fruit, spices and brandy will improve with time. At least once a day, turn the jar upside-down (or thoroughly stir the mixture if it's in a bowl) to make sure all the dried fruit gets coated in the brandied liquid. The mixture keeps in the refrigerator for months, stored in an airtight container.

DRIED-FRUIT TART WITH BRANDIED CRèME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out dough 1/8 inch thick (about an 11-inch round). Fit dough into an 8-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim and trim edge. With a fork prick bottom of shell all over. Chill shell 30 minutes, or until firm.
• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell in middle of oven 20 minutes. Carefully remove weights or rice and foil and bake shell until golden, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool shell in pan on a rack.
• Make dried-fruit mixture:
• In a heavy saucepan simmer water with sugar and vanilla bean, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Halve apricots and add to syrup with prunes and cherries. Simmer mixture 10 minutes and pour through a sieve into a 2-cup glass measure (you will have about 1 2/3 cups syrup). Reserve fruit and vanilla bean.
• In a food processor purée 1/2 cup reserved fruit and 2 tablespoons syrup until smooth. Spread purée evenly over bottom of tart shell and arrange remaining fruit on top. In a cup sprinkle gelatin over cold water to soften 1 minute. In a small saucepan boil 1/2 cup remaining syrup until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Remove pan from heat and add gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved completely, and with a pastry brush brush glaze on fruit. Reserve remaining cup syrup for crème anglaise.
• Make crème anglaise:
• Have ready a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan combine cream and reserved cup syrup. Split reserved vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds into pan. Discard vanilla bean. Bring mixture just to a boil and remove pan from heat. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat together yolks and sugar until thick and pale. Add hot cream mixture to yolk mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Transfer mixture to cleaned pan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until slightly thickened and a thermometer registers 170° F. (Do not let custard boil.) Pour custard through a fine sieve into metal bowl set in bowl of ice water. Cool crème anglaise completely and stir in brandy. (Crème anglaise may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap.)
• Serve tart with crème anglaise.

BRANDIED FRUIT TOPPING

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine raisins, mandarin oranges, prunes, sugar and water to cover. Simmer over medium heat until syrupy, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in peaches, pineapple and brandy. Store in refrigerator.

BRAISED LAMB WITH SQUASH AND BRANDIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Place the racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven, and heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Halve the squash lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and discard them. Rub the flesh of the squash with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Place 3 sprigs each of thyme and sage on a small baking sheet. Place the cut side of the squash directly on top of the herbs. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add the quartered shallots cut-side down and cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as necessary to avoid scorching. Season with salt and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
• Pat the lamb dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pot over medium-high. Cook the lamb on both sides until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Work in batches if necessary.
• Add the minced shallots and garlic to the pan, season with salt and stir to coat with the pan drippings. Add the whole peeled tomatoes and their juices, then add the stock or water and bring to a boil. Return the lamb shanks to the pot and add the remaining thyme and sage.
• Cover the pot with a lid or a piece of foil and move the pot to the bottom rack of the oven. Place the squash on the top rack. Bake the squash until the flesh is tender and a thin knife can be easily inserted, about 75 to 90 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover with foil. Continue to cook the lamb until the meat is tender enough to pull with a fork, about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours total.
• Scoop out the squash with a spoon and place on a serving plate, then transfer the lamb to the plate and cover to keep warm. Remove the braised tomatoes from the lamb cooking liquid and discard along with any excess fat.
• Set the pot over medium heat and reduce the liquid to about 3/4 of its volume, about 5 minutes. Add the browned shallots and brandied fruit. Cook until shallots are tender and sauce is warmed through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the lamb and squash and garnish with mint leaves. Serve with steamed rice, couscous or thick slices of a crusty sourdough loaf.

BRANDIED FRUIT SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, the salt, baking powder and baking soda, and whisk to incorporate. Working quickly, rub the cold butter into the dry mixture using your fingers or a pastry cutter. Cut the butter into the flour until the pieces are the size of small pebbles. (Alternatively, use a food processor to pulse the dry ingredients with the butter, to cut the butter.)
• Add the drained brandied fruit and toss to combine. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy cream. Use a wooden spoon to combine until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough to a work surface and press the clumps together enough to form a slightly uniform piece.
• Lift the dough and flour your work surface. Pat or roll the dough out into an 8-inch square. Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to divide the dough into 16 square pieces. Transfer the scones to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with heavy cream, and sprinkle with sugar if you like.
• Bake until cooked through and the tops are golden brown, 20 to 22 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BRANDIED-FRUIT TARTLETS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring dried fruit and cider to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is almost absorbed, 8 minutes. Transfer fruit mixture to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not pasty. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in pecans and brandy. (To store, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate, up to 1 week.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to an 1/8-inch thickness. With a 3 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut dough into 12 rounds, then press rounds into 12 standard muffin cups (dough should come 3/4 inch up sides). Divide fruit mixture among cups and brush edges with egg. With a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut remaining dough into 12 smaller rounds (reroll scraps if necessary). With lightly floured decorative cutters or a knife, cut out shapes from smaller rounds (or cut slits to vent). Place on tartlets, pressing lightly at edges to seal. Brush tops with egg and sprinkle with sugar. Freeze until firm, 10 minutes (or up to 1 day).
• Bake until tartlets are golden brown, 25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Let cool in pan, 5 minutes. Run a thin knife around each tartlet; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

FRIENDSHIP CAKE WITH BRANDIED FRUIT STARTER RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• Brandied Fruit Starter should last indefinitely if handled properly. Use clean equipment and keep it covered. Combine all ingredients in a clean, nonmetal bowl; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 weeks, stirring fruit twice a week. Serve fruit over ice cream or pound cake when desired, reserving at least 1 cup starter at all times. To replenish starter: Add 1 cup sugar and one of the fruits (pineapple chunks, peaches, apricot halves or maraschino cherries) every 1 to 3 weeks, alternating fruits each time; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 days before using again. When you have 6 cups you can divide the fruit and start a second glass container or give 3 cups away or make the Friendship Cake. *Apricot or peach brandy may be substituted, if desired. FRIENDSHIP CAKE MIX: Combine in a gallon glass jar 2 1/2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 cups brandied fruit Starter and 1 (32-ounce) can sliced peaches with juice; stir all together; stir several times the first day and thereafter, stir once each day. Keep covered and at room temperature. On Tenth Day add: 1 (32-ounce) can chunk pineapple with juice 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar Stir once a day for 10 days. On Twentieth Day add: 1 (32-ounce) can fruit cocktail with juice 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries with juice, diced Stir once a day for 10 days. On Thirtieth day: Drain liquid from fruit. Divide the juice into 1 1/2 cups each. Place in jars with tight lids and give to a friend with a copy of recipe as soon as possible. Divide fruit into thirds. Makes 3 cakes. Cakes can be frozen after they are baked. Juice or fruit cannot be frozen. Friendship Cake Mix Recipe: Combine all ingredients together, mixing well. Bake in greased and floured Bundt pan at 350°F (175°C) for 50 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes before removing. Cool completely on wire rack.

BRANDIED FRUIT STARTER

Steps:

• 1. 1 (15 1/4 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained 1 (16 oz.) can sliced peaches, drained 1 (17 oz.) can apricot halves, drained 1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, drained 1-1/4 c. sugar 1-1/4 c. brandy
• 2. Combine all ingredients in a clean, non-metal bowl; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 weeks, stirring fruit twice a week. Serve fruit over ice cream or pound cake, reserving at least 1 cup starter at all times. Two is better

BRANDIED CRANBERRY FRUIT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line a 9-inch pie pan with your favorite pastry. In a large bowl, combine orange, lemon juice, peach pie filling, cranberries, raisins, sugar, tapioca, and 1/3 cup brandy. Mix well. Spoon filling mixture into pie crust. Top the pie with another crust and seal and flute the edges. Cut slits into the top crust. Cover the edge of the pie with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until the crust is browned. Place pie on rack to cool.
• Icing: Mix the confectioners' sugar, butter, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons brandy in a small bowl until smooth. Gently drizzle or spread over cooled pie.

BRANDIED FRUIT CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Combine the apricot slivers and raisins in the brandy; cover and let the mixture blend overnight (refrigerated or not).
• The next day, drain off the brandy from the raisins; preheat oven to 400 degrees F and butter and sugar a 9-1/2 inch round baking dish (preferably Pyrex or ceramic).
• Spread the apricot/raisin mixture in the bottom of the prepared dish and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg.
• In a large bowl with a mixer, beat together the eggs and sugar until foamy.
• Add melted butter, almond and vanilla extract; then slowly add milk, flour, lemon zest, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.
• The mixture will be very runny, not thick at all.
• Pour the egg mixture over the apricot/raisin mixture in the dish; sprinkle with a bit more nutmeg, then bake in a preheated 400 degree F oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is puffed and golden (the puffiness goes down as it sits -- ).
• Serve warm.

BRANDIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Combine the fruit in a medium bowl.
• Stir together the orange juice and brandy in a measuring cup.
• Pour over fruit; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours before serving, enjoy.

BRANDIED FRUIT CUSTARD

Steps:

• 22 graham crackers, rolled fine 1/3 c. sugar 1/4 c. butter 3 eggs, well beaten 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese 1 tsp. vanilla 1/3 c. white sugar the fruit from the Brandied fruit starter or 1 qt. fresh blueberries ( 1 can pie filling [blueberry, cherry or peach] or try 1 qt. fresh strawberries) Whipping cream (for serving) FOR CANNED PIE FILLINGS: 1 tbsp. lemon juice (only) FOR BRANDIED FRUIT or FRESH BERRIES: 2 tbsp. cornstarch 1 c. water 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 c. sugar Blend the 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup butter with the crushed graham cracker crumbs. Pat this mixture firmly in bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Beat together until creamy the cream cheese with beaten eggs, 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla. Pour over crumb mixture and bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned on edges and center nearly set. Cool. If using canned pie filling, mix lemon juice with it before adding to cool custard. Then chill about 8 hours before serving cold with sweetened whipped cream.
• FOR CANNED PIE FILLINGS: 1 tbsp. lemon juice (only) FOR BRANDIED FRUIT or FRESH BERRIES: 2 tbsp. cornstarch 1 c. water 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 c. sugar For fresh berry filling, sort out 2 cups or less of poorest looking or least ripe berries, stem or clean them and crush with potato masher in small saucepan. Add cornstarch, water and sugar, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice. Cool only slightly before adding the rest of the cleaned berries. (If using strawberries, cut most of any larger ones into smaller slices.) Add the combined berry mixture carefully over cooled custard layer. Chill several hours before serving cold with sweetened whipped cream. Serves 12 to 15.

BRANDIED FRUIT COBBLER

Steps:

• 1. 2 c. fruit from brandied fruit starter recipe 1 3/4 c. sugar 3/4 c. butter 3/4 c. flour Pinch of salt 2 tsp. baking powder 3/4 c. milk
• 2. Mix fruit with 3/4 c. sugar. Put butter in 8 inch square pan; set in 350 degree oven. Mix batter using 1 c. sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and milk. Pour over melted butter. Do not stir. Put fruit on top. Bake 1 hour or until crust is brown. (Freezes well).

BRANDIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Drain all canned fruit syrup into measuring cup.
• Pour 1/2 of syrup in small sauce pan.
• Add brown sugar, extracts and spices.
• Simmer until reduced by half. Stir in brandy. Place canned fruits in clean quart jar and pour brandy syrup mixture over fruit. Cool and store in refrigerator.

BRANDIED FRUIT STARTER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a clean, non-metal bowl; stir gently. Cover and let stand at room temperature 3 weeks, stirring fruit twice a week. Serve fruit over ice cream or pound cake, reserving at least 1 cup starter at all times.

BRANDIED FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• 1. 1/2 of the fruit from the brandied fruit starter 2 pkg. golden butter cake mixes 2 pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix 8 eggs 1-1/3 c. oil 2 c. raisins 2 c. walnuts 2 c. pecans 2 c. coconut
• 2. Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease and flour your pans. Into a large bowl put 1 box cake mix, 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix, 4 eggs, 2/3 cup oil and the drained fruit from your brandied fruit starter. Mix with a spoon only until well mixed. Then stir in 1 cup each of raisins, walnuts, pecans and coconut. Pour into prepared pans. Bake until straw inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 2 tube pans or 12 small one pound loaves or 4 loaves, 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 3-inch. Bake one tube pan at a time for approximately 60-90 minutes. Bake large loaves for 60-90 minutes or until a straw inserted in center comes out clean.

BRANDIED FRUIT PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees.
• In small saucepan, bring brandy, water, powdered sugar, dried fruit and ginger to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reuce heat to low; simmer 5 to 7 minutes or until fruit is soft.
• Rub pork with herbes de provence; sprinkle wit salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add pork; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until browned on all sides.
• Place pork in shllow roasting pan.
• Add apples to same skillet.
• Cook over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes or until apples are coated with butter.
• Add dried fruit mixture.
• Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until apples are tender.
• Pour fruit sauce over pork.
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature reches 150 degrees.
• Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes.

BRANDIED FRUIT

Steps:

• * "Small glass brandy snifters are imaginative containers for this gift. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and tie a bow around the stem of the glass. Attach a recipe card containing the recipe." In a sterilized large jar or crock, gently combine all ingredients. Cover and store in a cool place, stirring once a day for the first week.Fruit can be used at this time or for improved flavor, let age one month, stirring occasionally. Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves before serving. Serve over ice cream, pound cake, puddings, custards, or crepes.To store, cover and refrigerate to prevent fermentation.

BRANDIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Mix the first two fruits well in the prepared jar, with 2 cups sugar and stir. After 15 minutes, stir again. Use a damp clean cloth and wipe any mixture that got onto the sides, mouth or outside. Now place the cloth on top and secure with the rubber band. Set on the counter, away from drafts.
• Now, every day for 2 weeks, (preferably around the same time each day) remove the cloth/ rubber band and give it a quick stir to thoroughly mix with a clean wooden spoon. This will prevent any mold developing and to assure even fermentation of all the fruit. Replace the cloth and rubber band.
• NOTE: After a couple days to a week, you will start to see bubbles rising through it. After it starts to bubble, your mix will have a slight foam and bubble on the top of it when you mix it, don't be alarmed, this is good. As the fruit starts to ferment it releases Co2, turns the sugars to alcohol, and ferments the fruit.
• AFTER 2 WEEKS: Add 1 can pineapple chunks (drained) and 1 cup sugar; with wooden spoon, mix well. Using a damp clean cloth wipe inside, mouth and outside clean. Replace the cloth and rubber band. Stir once each day with wooden spoon, then replace cover.
• CONTINUE THE DAILY ROUTINE AS NOTED ABOVE for 2 more weeks... At the end of 2 weeks - Add 1 can sliced peaches (drained) and 1 cup sugar to the mix. Stir well and replace the cover. Continue to stir once each day as above, re-covering after each stir.
• After two weeks - add 1 jar maraschino cherries (drained) and 1 cup sugar. Continue with the usual daily routine for 2 more weeks.
• After two weeks - add the canned pears (drained) and 1 cup sugar. Stir to combine and replace the cover. Stir daily for 2 weeks.
• At this point your fruit should be alive and well; I always get a kick out of all the bubbling and watching the fermentation take place.
• Pour all of the brandied fruit into a large clean bowl, mix well. In a second sterilized gallon jar immediately measure 2 cups of the fruit (so you get fruit and liquid) - give as a gift or start a new batch. Give the directions that when they receive their starter to wait 1 week and then begin on the above schedule. Reserve the rest of the fruit for yourself, start a new feeding schedule, break into more gifts or eat.
• To serve - Put over natural vanilla ice cream or pound cake.
• Use in place of pineapple in upside down cake recipe- just use enough to make single layer and follow your favorite recipes directions.
• Muddle ¼ cup in a high ball glass, pour 2 ounces bourbon over it and splash with lemon-lime soda for a cocktail.
• Notes: DO NOT SEAL THE JAR-while the fermentation process is taking place. This needs to breathe because it emits Co2 and the jar will explode!
• Once the fruit has fully processed, it may be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator. To use to start a new batch, take 2 cups of the fruit and juice and allow to set out at room temperature for 1 week before starting in a gallon jug with the schedule and additions above.