Jackies 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.

TASTE LIKE FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, blend cake mix, brown sugar. Add to dry mixture, the shortening, egg, vanilla and almond extract. Fold in cherries, raisins, apricots or pineapples, walnuts, almonds, and pecans or your favorite nut. Blend mixture well. Drop cookie dough (dough should be sticky, doughy, not too wet), if too wet add a couple of spoonfuls of leftover cake mix to give it the right consistency) by spoonfuls, about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Tip: About 1 minute before cooking time is reached, pull cookies out of oven, they will continue to cook for about 1 minute on hot cookie sheet and begin to cool, creating their own cake like color. Cookies can be refrigerated and served at a later time, or put in the freezer. To freeze, wrap cookies tightly in freezer wrap, heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 2 months. Bring to room temperature for approximately 45 minutes before serving.

JACKIE'S FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking power, baking soda, sugar, eggs, cherries, pineapple and walnuts. Stir by hand with a sturdy spoon just until blended. Spoon into the prepared pan, and spread evenly.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool, then invert onto a serving plate. While the cake cools, mix together the butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the cream cheese, and beat until smooth. Frost cake with the icing when completely cool.

JACKIES FAMILY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Grease and line a deep 27X33cm baking dish.
• Combine first five ingredients in a large pan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Boil, then immediately simmer uncovered for 5 minute Transfer to a large bowl and cool.
• Add sifted flour and eggs, and beat with electric mixer until smooth. Pour int dish.
• Bake in mod (160c ff) oven for 50 minute Cool for 10 min then turn onto rack.
• Frosting: combine butter water and sugar in small pan, stir over heat without boiling until sugar dissolves. Sift icing sugar and cocoa into medium bowl. Stir in hot butter mixture in batches. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hours Beat until spreadable.