Grace Strucks Applesauce Fruitcake Nora Carey 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.

APPLESAUCE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch tube pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and grease again.
• In large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs and blend well.
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Combine 1/2 cup of flour with nuts, raisins, dates and 1/2 cup cherries, stir until coated. Set aside.
• Add remaining 2 3/4 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and salt to egg mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened, then beat 2 minutes on medium speed.
• Fold fruit and nut mixture and applesauce into batter. Pour batter into a 10 inch tube pan. Arrange cherry halves and pecans on top.
• Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 1hour and 15 to 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. Cool upright in pan 5 minutes. Turn upright onto wire rack and remove pan and parchment paper. Cool completely.

APPLESAUCE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except fruits and nuts and mix until smooth.
• Stir in fruits and nuts.
• Line the bottom of two large loaf pans or one tube pan with well-greased and floured double-thickness brown paper.
• Bake at 300 degrees for one hour (test for doneness with a toothpick).

MOIST APPLESAUCE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients; add 1 cup flour. Stir to coat. In a bowl, cream butter and sugar; add eggs and mix well. Add the applesauce and vanilla extract. Combine the baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and remaining flour; stir into applesauce mixture. Stir in fruit mixture. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. , Bake at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

GRACE STRUCK'S APPLESAUCE FRUITCAKE (NORA CAREY)

Steps:

• Heat applesauce over moderate heat. Add butter, a few tablespoons at a time, stirring to melt. Bring it to just a boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and add sugar, molasses and honey, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let cool in large bowl.
• Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Stir into applesauce. Fold in dried fruit, chopped nuts and ½ cup of brandy.
• Divide batter among 4 buttered and floured 9 x 5" pans and decorate top with walnut halves.
• Bake at 275 F oven for 1 ½ hours, until a skewer inserted in center of loaf comes out clean and hot to the touch. Let cakes cool in the pans. Cool completely on racks.
• Wrap each cake in cheesecloth and brush the left ½ cup of brandy until cloth is soaked. Wrap cakes in foil and store in a cool dry place. They keep for 3 to 4 months. For added flavor brush them with additional brandy every month.

APPLESAUCE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.
• Measure out fruit and nuts, dates and raisins in a very large bowl.
• Cream together butter and sugar, add eggs and beat well.
• Alternately add dry ingredients and grape juice to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Mix into fruit, nuts and applesauce.
• Pour into prepared pans weighing about 2 lb. each.
• Bake at 275F about 2 hours, or until pick comes out clean.