APRICOT AND MACADAMIA FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300. Grease and lightly flour six 1-cup molds or one 9x5x3 loaf pan.
• In a small saucepan bring 1/2 cup apricot nectar just to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in apricots and raisins. Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
• In a large mixing bowl whip butter then beat in sugar, beating till combined.
• Add eggs one at a time.
• In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup apricot brandy, the 1/4 cup nectar and vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture and nectar mixture alternately to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
• Fold soaked fruit and chopped nuts into batter. Spread into prepared pan.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes for small pans or 70 minutes for the loaf pan. Cool cake in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
• Poke holes into cake using a pick or skewer. Soak the cotton cheesecloth with the remaining 1/2 cup apricot brandy, wrap the cake and drizzle any remaining brandy over the cake. Wrap tightly in foil.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Drizzle with the remaining 1/3 cup nectar after 24 hours.
• For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.