Divash's Fruitcake
Makes 4 or 5 small loaves, or 2 standard sized loaves.
Line the pan bottoms with waxed paper. Set aside.
Mix together: 6 oz. dried apricots, chopped
6 oz. prunes (dried plums), chopped
6 oz. dates, chopped
6 oz. raisins
6 oz. dried cranberries
Add but DO NOT MIX IN YET: 1 cup pecans, whole or coarsely chopped -- optional -- put ON TOP of the fruit in the bowl
1/2 cup almonds, whole or coursely chopped -- optional -- put ON TOP of the fruit in the bowl
Pour on:1 flask Jack Daniels
1 bottle Bacardi Dark Rum
Enough Jack Daniels and/or Bacardi Dark Rum to cover the fruit and nuts by at least 1 full inch.
Let stand overnight. The next day, MIX them all. The fruit will probably have absorbed enough alcohol to swell up hugely.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon mace
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Whisk above ingredients together in large bowl.
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Beat until smooth.
Add dry ingredients. Beat together.
Add fruit and nuts to batter. Combine thoroughly. Put into pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, then at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Extremely alcoholic and really very tasty. Not suitable for pounding nails. Eat soon or wrap and refrigerate.
Variations: #1 - Add 1/3 - 1/2 cup finely chopped ginger with the nuts.
#2 - To put some real zip in this holiday treat make several weeks ahead and sprinkle weekly with brandy, bourbon, port, or sherry.
#3 - Substitute fruit juice (apple or cranberry work best) for the alcohol. This is good if anyone is allergic to alcohol, an alcoholic, or if you're planning to serve this to a large party where you're not sure about other people's needs regarding alcohol. If you go this route, don't age the cake, because alcohol is a preservative but fruit juice is not.
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