Best Brandied Fruitcake Recipes

JEWELTONE BRANDIED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• 1. 2 days to 1 week before baking fruitcake: Place the cherries, pineapple, dates and orange and lemon peel in a large refrigerator container with a tight fitting lid. Pour the brandy over all and mix well. Store in refrigerator for 2 days to 1 week, stirring mixture at least once a day.
• 2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Generously coat a 12 cup Bundt pan (or mold, or your own combination of baking pans.... mini bundt, loaf pans, etc.) with cooking spray. Baking time will vary depending on size of pans used. This recipe makes approximately 11 cups of batter. Set prepared baking pans aside.
• 3. Add walnuts to fruit mixture and mix well. Set aside.
• 4. In a large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, cream butter with sugar. Add eggs , one at a time, beating well after each.
• 5. Sift the flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add to creamed mixture alternately with the preserves.
• 6. Fold fruit mixture into the batter and mix until well combined. Turn batter into prepared baking pan(s). Batter should come to within 1/2" - 1" from top of pan.
• 7. Bake for 1 1/2 - 2 hours (for single cake) or until cake tests done when a toothpick is inserted near center. Let cool 20 minutes, then turn out onto rack. Cool completely. Pictured: individual mini-bundt cakes - baked for 1 hour 5 minutes
• 8. Make glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup and brandy and cook for about 3 minutes. Mix well. Brush a light coating over each cake. Arrange reserved cherries and pineapple on top to decorate. Brush with remaining glaze.
• 9. Wrap in waxed paper and then place in a plastic bag. Store in refrigerator. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
• 10. PLEASE NOTE: Baking time for different size baking pans: regular size loaf pan: 1 hour 40 minutes, mini-loaf pan or mini-bundt pans: 1 hour 5 minutes These times may vary Just keep checking for doneness with a toothpick after suggested times.

BRANDIED CHOCOLATE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Combine candied pineapple, cherries, raisins, and 1/2 cup brandy in a small bowl. Cover and let stand overnight.
• Drain the fruit, reserving 1/3 cup brandy. (If the fruit has absorbed most of the brandy, reserve what you can and add more to make 1/3 cup.) Set fruit and brandy aside.
• Spray two 9"x5" loaf pans liberally with baking spray.
• Melt baking chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Set aside to cool.
• Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Gradually add one cup sugar and blend well.
• Beat in the egg yolks two at a time, scraping down after each addition. Beat in cooled chocolate.
• Resift the flour with baking powder and add to the batter alternately with the reserved brandy. Stir in the fruit and nuts.
• Beat egg whites until they just begin to hold their shape. Then add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold about 1/4 of the egg whites into the batter, then gently (but thoroughly) fold in the remaining egg whites.
• Turn batter into prepared pans and place loaf pans in a roasting pan (or other baking pan). Pour enough boiling water in the outer pans to come about halfway up the sides of the loaf pans.
• Bake at 250 for 2.5 hours, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool fruitcakes for 15 minutes, then remove from pans. Pour a few tablespoonfuls of brandy over each cake. Cool thoroughly.
• Wrap each loaf individually in plastic wrap or cheesecloth, then wrap in foil. Store for 2-8 weeks in the refrigerator before serving. Sprinkle the cakes with brandy 2-4 times during the waiting period.
• If you want to top the cake with a glaze (I never did), combine 1.5 cups powdered sugar, 3-4 tablespoons of whipping cream, and 1/4 teaspoons almond extract; blend until smooth, then spread evenly over cake.

BRANDIED FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine the 3/4 cup cherries, pineapple and brandy.
• Cover and chill overnight.
• In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and baking soda, set aside.
• For batter, in a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
• Add egg and cottage cheese and beat until combined, beat in flour mixture.
• Cover and chill overnight.
• Stir brandied fruits mixture into batter.
• Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Add additional cherries to garnish tops of cookies.
• Bake at 375°F for 9 to 11 minutes or until bottoms are light brown.
• Cool completely on racks.
• May be frozen.

BRANDIED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Line bottom of 8 1/2 -inch microwave-safe loaf pan with wax paper. Invert a microwave-safe saucer in center of oven floor.Mix first 5 ingredients. Let stand 15 minutes. Cream butter and sugar in large mixer bowl at high speed until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and candied fruit mixture. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Spread batter in pan. Shield ends of loaf with 3-inch wide strips of aluminum foil covering 1 inch of batter at each end and folding remaining foil around handles.Place pan on saucer in oven. Microwave at medium (50%) 9 minutes, rotating 1/4 turn every 3 minutes. Microwave at high (100%) 1 to 2 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean (surface may appear moist, but do not overcook top will be flat or irregular). Remove foil.Let stand on heatproof surface 15 minutes to complete cooking. Invert onto cooling rack. Remove wax paper. Cool completely. For easier slicing, wrap and refrigerate overnight. Serve at room temperature.Note: Recipe tested in 650-watt oven. Cooking times may vary in ovens of different wattage.Altitude Adjustments: At 6,000 feet, no adjustments needed.