Spirited Fruitcake Recipes

WORLD'S BEST FRUIT CAKE

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.

BEST BOILED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Line one 8 inch deep sided cake tin with parchment paper.
• Place the fruit cherries, peel, walnuts, sugar, butter or margarine, mixed spice, baking soda and milk in a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let mixture cool to body temperature.
• Stir in the flour and the eggs. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Wrap outside of pan with brown paper or newspaper.
• Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 40 minutes then reduce temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and continue to baking cake for 1-1/2 hours. Remove cake from oven and allow it to cool in tin for 5 minutes then turn it out onto a cooling rack, remove greaseproof paper and leave until cool. Cake can be stored for up to 6 months wrapped in foil and in an air tight tin.

EASY SPIRITED FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Crumble or chop fruit cake. Stir into cake mix. Add eggs and oil, mix by hand.
• 2. Add bourbon , nuts, coconut and chocolate chips; stir until combined.
• 3. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet.
• 4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

SPIRITED FRUITCAKE GIFT AND BAKE IN A JAR

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl mix everything but the candied fruit and the rum. put in a baggy. Add candied fruit to a second baggy. In the widemouth jar add the rum bottle then fit in the two baggies. close lid and decorate and place a tag saying the below info.
• 2. Spirited Fruit cake (You bake in a jar) take everything from the jar and place the two baggies contents in a bowl. Add the following 1 egg 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon water Mix well and put in the sprayed jar in a small baking dish to stablize the jar in the oven. Do not put lid on it. Cook at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. take from oven and let sit 10 minutes. Run knife around jar and remove the fruitcake. If you prefer spirited fruit cake you then put it in alumium foil or plastic wrap and add as much of the rum you desire and place in fridge for a few days to absorb the rum. slice and serve. Any leftover rum goes great with OJ.

SPIRITED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Combine fruit, nuts and brandy in a large covered mixing bowl, allow to soak overnight.
• Heat oven to 250 degrees.
• Line 2 loaf pans with lightly oiled wax paper.
• In a large freezer baggie, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder, tossing to mix.
• Drain fruit/nut, brandy mixture, reusing bowl.
• Add flour mixture to fruit/ nut mix, stir well.
• In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs till frothy, add vanilla to mix.
• Pour egg& vanilla mix into fruit/nut/flour mixture, stirring by hand to combine Divide mixture evenly into loaf pans.
• Bake for 1 3/4- 2 hours.
• Cool on wire racks.
• When cool, remove from pans and wrap.

QUICK FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in the pecans, dates and fruit. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.