Chunky Nut And Dried Fruitcake Food

THE BEST FRUITCAKE

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.

CHUNKY NUT AND DRIED FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F Grease and flour 10 inch tube pan;, set aside. In very large bowl beat butter and shortening with electric mixer on medium speed 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. Alternately beat in flour and orange juice, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Stir in nuts and fruits until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pan, spreading top evenly.
• Bake 1 1/4 hours or until wooden skewer inserted into cake comes out clean. If necessary, cover top of cake with aluminum foil anywhere from the last 30 minutes to the last 15 or 20 minutes to prevent over browning. Cool cake in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan; cool completely on rack. Wrap cake in cheesecloth that has been soaked in brandy or orange juice. Wrap cake in foil and refrigerate up to 1 month. Moisten cheesecloth every week.

CHUNKY FRUIT 'N' NUT FUDGE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine cherries and cranberries. Add enough warm water to cover; set aside. Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil and grease the foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, melt remaining butter. Stir in the milk, chips and cream. Cook and stir over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth and blended (mixture will first appear separated, but continue stirring until fully blended). Remove from the heat; stir in marshmallow creme and extract. , Drain cherries and cranberries; pat dry with paper towels. Stir the fruit, cashews and chocolate chunks into chocolate mixture. Spread into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature until set., Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares.

FRUITCAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients., Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. (Cookies are best after a few days.)

DRIED FRUIT FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine first 9 ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce to low & cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat & cool to room temperature.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F, then grease & flour a 12-cup Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the next 6 ingredients which are dry, then stir in the lightly beaten eggs, the almond extract, and the cooled fruit mixture, & combine well.
• Spoon batter into the prepared Bundt pan & bake for at least 2 hours & 20 minutes. Toothpick in the center should come out clean.
• Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then unmold onto a serving plate & cool completely.