Indulge in the timeless tradition of baking "Mom's Fruitcake with Brandy," a cherished family recipe passed down through generations. This delectable cake, brimming with an enticing blend of dried fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices, is a symbol of love, warmth, and the spirit of the holidays. With its distinct boozy undertones from a generous splash of brandy, this classic fruitcake promises an unforgettable taste experience. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this comprehensive guide will lead you through the delightful journey of creating this cherished treat, ensuring that every bite is filled with memories and the essence of home.
Let's cook with our recipes!
MOM'S FRUITCAKE
Our family has been making this for the past 45 years. Friends and family all love it!
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 250-275 degrees.
- Batter will make about 15 lbs. Prepare pans according to chart below. Grease and line pans with brown paper, waxed paper, or parchment. Grease again. Cut paper about 1 inch taller than pans. Fill pans a little over half full with batter. If you have room in the oven, put a pan with some hot water in it in the bottom, to keep the cakes moist. Enjoy!
- Pan sizes and baking chart:
- 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan: 6 1/2 cups batter, bake for 3 hours
- 10" tube pan: 2 1/2 quarts batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 1 lb. coffee cans: 3 3/4 cups batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 9 1/4 oz. tuna cans: 1 cup batter, bake for 1 hour 30 mins
- No.303 (16oz) cans: 1 2/3 cup batter, bake for 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours
- 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2-inch mini loaf pans: 3/4 cup batter, bake for 1 hour
LORRIE'S MOTHER'S FRUITCAKE
Provided by Lynda Chernek
Categories Cake Fruit Dessert Bake Christmas Date Pecan Walnut Bon Appétit New York Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Serves 10
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325° F. Butter and flour 10-inch-diameter angel food or tube pan. Combine first 3 ingredients in large bowl. Add dates, pecans, walnuts and all raisins and toss to coat. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in another large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts. Add dry ingredients; fold until just combined (batter will resemble cookie dough). Spoon batter into prepared pan. Smooth top. Bake until cake is golden and tester inserted near center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edges of cake to loosen. Turn out cake onto rack; cool completely. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic.)
MOM'S FRUITCAKE
This is the fruitcake my mother made from the time I was a little girl. It isn't full of the citrus fruits, and I've never met anyone who didn't like it. Originally submitted to CakeRecipe.com. You can use fruit juice instead of the brandy, if you prefer.
Provided by Sharon
Categories Brandy Desserts
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Pour boiling water over raisins and currants to cover. Let steam for 5 minutes, then drain. In a very large bowl combine currants, raisins, gum drops, candied cherries, pitted dates, jelly, spices, and brandy wine or fruit juice. Stir to blend. Cover and let stand overnight.
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease three 8x4 inch loaf pans.
- Cream the butter and the sugar together until light and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Stir in the vanilla.
- Sift the flour and baking soda together.
- Add the flour mixture alternately with the fruit mixture to the creamed mixture. Pour evenly into three loaf pans.
- Bake at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 2-1/4 to 3 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaves comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 392.6 calories, Carbohydrate 67.2 g, Cholesterol 63.7 mg, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 119.1 mg, Sugar 45.9 g
UNCLE BILL'S CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE WITH BRANDY
I first made this cake just over 30 years ago when our liquor was inexpensive. I continued this tradition ever since. The cake is nice and moist and has a most delightful flavor. Very Nutty and Fruity. Makes about 12 to 13 pounds of cake.
Provided by William Uncle Bill
Categories Dessert
Time 6h
Yield 70-80 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Remove pineapple rings from syrup.
- DO NOT USE SYRUP IN CAKE.
- Cut both red and green pineapple rings into chunks (about 6 chunks of each ring.) In a large mixing bowl, add red and green pineapple chunks, pecans, almonds, red and green maraschino cherries, mixed peel and raisins and mix well.
- Add the entire bottle of Brandy and mix well.
- Cover the bowl tightly with food film wrap and let stand overnight.
- During this marinate, mix at least two times.
- THE NEXT DAY.
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
- Sift 3/4 cup of flour over marinated fruit and mix well to coat.
- Now sift an additional 1/2 cup flour over fruit and mix well again.
- In a mixing bowl cream butter; set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat eggs with 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Add baking soda and almond extract to the beaten eggs and mix well.
- Add remainder of 1 1/2 cups of flour over the fruit and mix well.
- Add creamed butter and egg mixture over fruit and mix well.
- Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, mace and cinnamon and mix very well.
- Prepare 3 bread pans (4" x 8" x 3" deep) with parchment paper (or brown paper.) Pour cake mixture equally into each pan to about 3/4" below top of pan.
- The cakes should be between 2" and 2 1/2" in thickness.
- Bake in preheated 275 F oven for 4 to 5 hours on the middle rack.
- If top of cake starts to brown too much, cover with aluminum foil and continue baking.
- Test cake for doneness with a wooden testing stick.
- If stick comes out dry, the cakes are done.
- Remove cakes from oven and let cool in pans.
- When cooled, remove from pans and place on metal racks for about 3 hours.
- Remove the brown paper carefully and discard.
- Baste the tops of each cake with Apricot Brandy or if desired with 151 Overproof Rum.
- Wrap each cake in about 4 thicknesses of cheese cloth.
- Now wrap each cake with 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil.
- Store the cakes in a cool place for at least 1 month before using (this is when they are best.) A few days before serving, unwrap the top of the foil and baste the cake through the cheesecloth with brandy or rum.
- Re-wrap and let sit for a few days.
- This cake freezes very well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 279.5, Fat 9.8, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 18.6, Sodium 38.4, Carbohydrate 39.9, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 31.5, Protein 3.3
RICH BRANDY CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE
A very very rich fruitcake...perfect for Christmas, just remember, the longer it sits in the tin, the tastier it will be.
Provided by Samuel Holden
Categories Dessert
Time 5h20m
Yield 8 inch cake
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- The night before you cook this place all the fruit fruit peel and nuts into a bowl and soak for 12 hours in the brandy and orange juice; Stir every time you go into the kitchen!
- pre-heat oven to 275ºF/140ºC.
- Grease and line with greaseproof paper an 8 inch/20cm round cake tin.
- Sift the flour salt and spices into a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar together until the mixtures fluffy.
- Beat the eggs and add them a little at a time.
- Fold in the flour and spices.
- Stir in the fruit that has been soaking along with any excess liquid.
- Mix in the treacle.
- Spoon into the cake tin and spread out evenly.
- Cover the cake with a double square of greaseproof paper with a small hole in the top.
- Bake the cake on the lower shelf for 4& 1/4- 3/4 hours.
- When the cake is cold wrap in double greaseproof paper and store in an airtight tin.
- Feed the cake every two days for the first 2 weeks with a spoonful of brandy and/or orange juice and/or glacè cherry syrup.
- First poke little holes in the cake with a knitting needle or a skewer.
- Come Christmas you will have a very very rich fruit cake.
- Use royal icing to ice it or almond paste and royal icing, I don't like almond paste!
Tips:
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Choose fresh, ripe fruits, quality nuts, and premium spices. Using top-notch ingredients will significantly enhance the flavor of your fruitcake.
- Soak the Fruits: Soaking the fruits in brandy or other alcohol for several days or weeks before baking allows them to plump up and absorb the liquid, resulting in a moist and flavorful cake.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar Thoroughly: Creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy incorporates air into the mixture, creating a tender and airy crumb.
- Add the Eggs One at a Time: Gradually adding the eggs one at a time helps prevent the batter from curdling and ensures a smooth and well-combined mixture.
- Use a Combination of Spices: Don't be afraid to experiment with different spice combinations to create a unique flavor profile. Common spices used in fruitcakes include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice.
- Bake the Fruitcake Slowly: Bake the fruitcake at a low temperature for an extended period to ensure even baking and prevent the cake from drying out.
- Wrap and Store Properly: Once the fruitcake is baked, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Store the fruitcake in a cool, dry place for several weeks or even months to allow the flavors to develop and mature.
Conclusion:
With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create a delicious and festive fruitcake that will be enjoyed by family and friends alike. Remember to use high-quality ingredients, soak the fruits, cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, add the eggs one at a time, use a combination of spices, bake the fruitcake slowly, and wrap and store it properly. Patience is key when it comes to fruitcake, as it benefits from aging and maturing over time. So, plan ahead and bake your fruitcake well in advance of the holiday season to allow it to reach its full flavor potential.
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