Betty Crocker Mystery Fruitcake 1957 Recipes

BETTY CROCKER MYSTERY FRUITCAKE (1957)

Steps:

• 1. Step one: Bake a Betty Crocker Spice cake mix per the package instructions. Cool the cake and crumble it into a very large bowl or pan.
• 2. ALTERNATIVE TO STEP ONE: Bake a white or yellow cake mix to which you have added: -- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg -- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger -- 1/4 teaspoon allspice or cloves
• 3. Step two: Add all the fruit to crumbled cake and stir -- probably with your hands inside a couple of plastic bags -- or plastic gloves if you have them -- or a large wooden spoon would do, as well.
• 4. Step three: Open the can of fluffy frosting and mix it with the cake and fruit (If you have it in a box, then make the frosting and add to the fruit.)
• 5. Step four: Line a tube pan with foil and fill with the mixture. NOTE: Personally, I don't like my food to touch foil -- so I would use parchment paper following these instructions: A. Prepare one-piece tube pan (10x4): Cut heavy brown paper bottom (trace bottom of pan) and one 4" wide strip to go around the inside of the pan (slit the top every half inch or so, to conform to shape of pan), and another 5" wide to go around the tube. B. Lightly grease the pan with butter, place the paper liners inside, then lightly butter the paper (or can grease the paper before putting into pan -- greased side next to cake, not the pan.) The grease on the pan, holds the paper, the grease on the paper is for the cake.)
• 6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before eating
• 7. Makes a 5 pound cake

JEWELED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300°F. Line loaf pan, 9x5x3 or 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, with aluminum foil; grease foil. Mix all the ingredients except corn syurp. Spread in pan.
• Bake about 1 hour 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If necessary, cover with aluminum foil for last 30 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning.
• Remove fruitcake from pan (with foil) to wire rack. For a glossy top, immediately brush with corn syrup. Cool completely before cutting, about 24 hours. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator no longer than 2 months.

FRUIT CAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat raisins, dates and brandy to simmering over medium heat. Remove from heat; let stand 15 minutes. Drain; set aside. Discard liquid.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir together cake mix, brown sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. In small bowl, stir melted butter, egg and water until blended. Add butter mixture to cake mix-brown sugar mixture; beat with spoon until well blended. Add drained fruit, maraschino cherries, nuts and candied cherries.
• Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.