THE BEST FRUITCAKE
Fruitcakes have become the punchline of many a holiday joke, but this recipe will give the notorious seasonal gift a whole new reputation. Filled with loads of real dried fruit and nuts along with brandy, warm spices and citrus, this cake tastes like the holidays. The recipe makes two loaves so you can gift one.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 14h30m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Combine the raisins, currants, apricots, figs, prunes, dates, walnuts, pecans, orange zest, lemon zest, candied ginger, pumpkin pie spice and cloves in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add 1 cup of the brandy, orange liqueur and molasses and stir to coat. Cover and set aside to macerate overnight. (Alternatively, cover the bowl and microwave 2 minutes, or until very hot. Leave covered and let sit until almost all the liquid has been absorbed into the fruit and nuts, about 2 hours.)
- Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and line each with 2 pieces of parchment, one lengthwise and one crosswise, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each side. Spray the parchment with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the soaked fruit mixture and toss to coat. Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- Cream the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to medium-low and beat in the flour mixture until the batter is blended and smooth. Pour the batter over the fruit mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until all the fruit is coated in batter.
- Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared pans, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, the tops spring back slightly when pressed and a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons brandy. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove each cake from its pan using the parchment overhang and place on the rack to cool completely.
- To store, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic and then foil. The wrapped fruitcakes can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
WORLD'S BEST FRUIT CAKE
A traditional moist fruit cake made with rum soaked dried fruit, citrus zest, and candied ginger. The best fruit cake recipe you'll ever make! It turns cynics into converts. This fruit cake recipe yields two (8 x 4-inch) loaf cakes. Wrap in sherry or triple sec soaked cheesecloth for at least a week for best flavor!
Provided by Laura / A Beautiful Plate
Categories Cakes and Cupcakes
Time P1DT2h
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- The Day Before Baking: Combine the dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add the dark rum, cover, and allow the mixture to soak at room temperature for a minimum of 12 hours, or ideally 24 hours prior to preparing the fruit cake batter.
- Prepare the Fruitcake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside two 8x4-inch All Clad Pro-Release Bakeware Loaf Pans. If using these pans, you do not need to line or grease the pans prior to adding the batter. Equipment Note: This fruitcake can also be prepared using 9x5-inch loaf pans. If using other types of pans, lightly grease and line with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together over medium-high speed for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating just until each egg is incorporated. The mixture will look slightly broken, that's ok.
- Over low speed, slowly add the flour mixture until just absorbed. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Add the lemon zest, orange zest, fresh orange juice, grated apple, slivered almonds, diced candied ginger, soaked dried fruit mixture (along with any liquid if it hasn't already been absorbed), and chocoate (if using). Stir mixture with a large spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the bowl several times, until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. It is a very thick, fruit heavy mixture.
- Transfer and divide the batter evenly among the loaf pans. Use an offset spatula to smooth the batter into an even layer. Set the loaf pans on the center rack, several inches apart from one another. Bake - rotating the pans halfway - for 75 to 90 minutes or until the batter is set and the tops are golden brown. The edges of the cake may also start to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely before removing from the pans.
- Storing and Aging: Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the loaf pans and set upright. Soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in medium sherry or triple sec (*they should be lightly damp, not soaking wet when you wrap the cakes, so you may need to squeeze out any excess liquor). Wrap each cake tightly. Cover loafs with wax paper and foil before transferring to a large Ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 to 8 weeks (it can often last even longer). You can serve this cake right after it has cooled, but the flavors improve greatly with time (I recommend several days or up to a week, at minimum). Unwrap and re-soak the cheesecloth once a week.
- For Garnishing: If desired, you can top the fruitcake with a light apricot glaze and whole pecans before serving. Note: I don't recommend glazing the cake if you wish to continue to wrap and age the fruitcake. To Prepare the Glaze: Combine the apricot preserves and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a light simmer, stirring until the glaze is shiny and thin. If it is too thin for glazing, reduce to desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of water. Brush the tops of the fruitcakes with apricot glaze and garnish with whole pecans.
- Serving Notes: Slice fruit cake with a serrated knife. Serve on its own or spread with a small amount of salted butter.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 196 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 58 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 26 g, UnsaturatedFat 2 g
MOM'S FAVORITE FRUITCAKE
This truly is a 'fruitcake' - dates, cherries and nuts with just enough batter to hold it all together. Moist and flavorful. Not a green, red or yellow 'candied' fruit in sight. Even the fruitcake haters love this lovely 'cake'.
Provided by Melody U.
Categories Cakes
Time 2h30m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 300 deg F. Cut piece of waxpaper to sit in bottom of a 9x5 loaf pan. Spray pan, set wax paper in, then spray bottom and sides of pan.
- 2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Stir in nuts, dates and cherries.
- 3. In separate bowl, beat eggs until foamy; then stir in the vanilla. Pour liquids into flour mixture and stir until just combined; press into loaf pan...and you really will have to press it in as there is only enough batter to hold everything together. Don't worry...it works.
- 4. Bake for 1 hr 45 min. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack and poke holes in bottom of cake with toothpick. Brush rum over bottom and sides, letting it seep into cake. Cool. Wrap in foil. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Keeps 3 weeks in refrigerator.
MOM'S FRUITCAKE
Our family has been making this for the past 45 years. Friends and family all love it!
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 250-275 degrees.
- Batter will make about 15 lbs. Prepare pans according to chart below. Grease and line pans with brown paper, waxed paper, or parchment. Grease again. Cut paper about 1 inch taller than pans. Fill pans a little over half full with batter. If you have room in the oven, put a pan with some hot water in it in the bottom, to keep the cakes moist. Enjoy!
- Pan sizes and baking chart:
- 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan: 6 1/2 cups batter, bake for 3 hours
- 10" tube pan: 2 1/2 quarts batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 1 lb. coffee cans: 3 3/4 cups batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 9 1/4 oz. tuna cans: 1 cup batter, bake for 1 hour 30 mins
- No.303 (16oz) cans: 1 2/3 cup batter, bake for 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours
- 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2-inch mini loaf pans: 3/4 cup batter, bake for 1 hour
MOM'S FAVORITE FRUITCAKE
This unusual fruitcake has only 4 tablespoons of flour so it is filled with lots of fruit and nuts. Yum!
Provided by Mysterygirl
Categories Dessert
Time 1h50m
Yield 2 loaves, 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°.
- Mix all ingredients together except milk.
- Add milk and mix well.
- Spray two loaf pans.
- Press mixture into loaf pans.
- Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
- NOTE: if using the smaller disposable loaf pans you should be able to get 3 loaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 614.1, Fat 34.6, SaturatedFat 16.6, Cholesterol 13.5, Sodium 82.5, Carbohydrate 76.7, Fiber 8.8, Sugar 65.7, Protein 7.6
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