Nuts About Fruit Cake 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.

BETTY'S BRAZIL NUT FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Sift the dry ingredients together.
• In large bowl, place chopped fruits and nuts.
• Add the sifted flour and mix to coat well.
• Beat the eggs and add the vanilla.
• Mix with the dry ingredients and fruit and nuts until well coated.
• Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan and line with wax paper.
• Add mixture to prepared pan.
• Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Remove from pan and immediately remove wax paper and cool before slicing.

LITTLE FRUIT & NUT CAKES

Steps:

• Soak fruit in brandy overnight.
• Beat butter & sugar till combined. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the soaked fruit alternately with the sifted flour, mixed spice and chopped nuts. Spoon into non stick muffin tins and smooth over surface.
• Decorate with extra glace cherrie & nuts at this stage if you wish.
• Bake in 140 degrees celsius oven for 55 minutes, checking with a skewer to see if baked through.
• Allow to cool in pans.

DATE NUT BREAD/FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• Cut dates and soak in boiling water about 15 minutes.
• Do not use a miker - put all ingredients into bowl, add dates and water.
• Mix thouroughly,.
• Spray pans with cooking spray. This can also be make as cupcakes(do not spray).
• Fill pans 1/3 full or cupcakes a little over half.
• Bake at 350 until bread will bounce back from touch. About 35 minutes.
• If cupcakes about 15 - 18 minutes.
• 2 Breads, or 2 dz. cupcakes.
• Fruit Cakes.
• Double date bread mix and add Fruit Cake Mix, top with Cherries.
• Bake as Date Break or cupcakes.
• 4 Breads, or 4 dz cupcakes.

100% FRUIT AND NUT CAKE

Steps:

• Soak the dried fruit in 2 cups boiling water for as long as possible (or overnight).
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cover the dates with water in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes until soft and toffeeish (adding more water is needed).
• Drain the fruit and mix with the dates (if you're not making it for children, you can add a splash of Cointreau or brandy if you want).
• Mix in the almonds and baking powder, adding a bit more water if the mixture seems too dry. Mix well then put in round cake tin.
• Bake about 1 1/2 hours or until a skewer comes out clean (check after an hour, will depend on size of tin, covering with foil after about 30 minutes.

FRUITCAKE (WITH NUTS)

Steps:

• Set oven to 325 degree.
• Butter and flour a 10-inch angel food or tube pan.
• In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add in chopped dates, pecans, walnuts and both raisins; toss to coat with flour mixture.
• In another bowl beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
• Add in eggs and beat well until combined.
• Add in vanilla and lemon zest or lemon extract (if using); mix to combine.
• Add in the dry ingredients (flour, fruit and nut mixture) and fold in JUST until combined (the batter will be the texture of cookie dough).
• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top with the back of the spoon.
• Bake for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until cake is golden and a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Cool cake in the pan on a rack for 10-15 minutes.
• With a sharp knife, cut around the edges of the cake to loosen.
• Turn the cake onto a rack and cool completely.

DRIED FRUIT AND NUT CAKE

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of one large 9 x 5 inch loaf pan or 2 smaller 8 x 4 loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the salt, baking powder and baking soda to combine. Add the brown sugar, all the dried fruit, and nuts and mix thoroughly with your fingers. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat the eggs with the vanilla extract until light. Pour the egg mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon or your hands until all the fruits and nuts are coated with batter. Scrape into the prepared pan (pans).
• Bake until the top is deep golden brown and the batter clinging to the fruit seems set, about 1 hour for smaller loaves, 10-15 minutes longer for a large loaf. Tent loosely with foil if the cake appears to be browning too much. Cook completely in the pan(s) on a rack.
• When completely cool, remove the cake from the pan(s). The cake keeps, wrapped airtight in foil or plastic wrap, for several weeks at room temperature or at least 3 months in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for at least 6 months.
• To serve, cut into thin slices with a sharp heavy knife.

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°. Combine fruit and nuts. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour over fruit and nuts; stir to coat. , Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place. Bring to room temperature before serving; slice with a serrated knife.