Clubfoodys Holiday Fruitcake Recipes

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.

Steps:

• For the cupcakes:
• Bake according to package instructions for cupcakes, adding 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to batter and substituting white cranberry juice for water.
• For the Peppermint White Hot Chocolate "CUP" cakes:
• Fill a zip top bag with icing. Snip a small corner of the bag and pipe icing onto each cupcake to look like whipped cream on top of the "cup".
• To add peppermint "handle" for the "cup":
• Poke a small hole in the side of each cupcake using a chopstick or tooth pick and fill the hole with royal icing. Insert one end of the "U" shape candy cane piece into hole and the other end into the icing to make your "cup" cake. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces.
• For the Snowman Cupcakes:
• Using a butter knife or spatula, lightly frost the cupcakes.
• Flatten a large marshmallow on waxed paper with the palm of your hand. Cut a second marshmallow in half horizontally, then stack the first half flat on the first marshmallow to form a torso then the second on it's side for a head. Thread a pretzel stick or toothpick through the bottom to secure marshmallows and stick into cupcake top.
• Use royal icing to attach cake decorating dots as eyes and buttons. Add a wedge cut from an orange slice candy for a nose.
• For the Reindeer Cupcakes:
• Using a butter knife or spatula, lightly frost each cupcake.
• Break the pretzels in half, and insert into the top of each cupcake for antlers. Use blue candy covered chocolates to make eyes. Cut fruit by the foot to make a mouth and place the red gumdrop in the center for the nose.
• With a hand mixer, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice or extract until frothy. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined, smooth, and shiny. Turn to high and beat approximately 5 minutes until stiff and glossy. Add food coloring, if desired, and transfer to a pastry bag to pipe onto cookies or cakes.;

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add dates, raisins,cranberries, blueberries, apricots, citrus peels, glazed cherries and orange zest; stir very well.
• Pour in rum, orange juice and pineapple juice. Stir well,cover and macerate for 12 hours, stirring often.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, add pecans and toast them for 2 to 3 minutes; transfer to a bowl to cool. Repeat with the walnuts.
• Transfer them to a cutting board and chop them; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 250ºF/130ºC and line a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Spray the paper lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg; whisk until very well blended and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine brown sugar and butter; process until the mixture is creamed.
• Add one egg at a time and mix well between each addition.
• Add vanilla extract and mix before adding half the flour mixture; process on low speed until just blended.
• Add half the fruit mixture and half the chopped nuts; mix until blended, about 30 seconds.
• Add the remaining flour mixture and process again until just incorporated. Add the rest of the fruits including the juice and the remaining nuts. Process once again until everything is well mixed but don't overdo it.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level it out using a spatula. Decorate the top of the cake to your liking.
• On the lower rack of the oven, place a pan filled halfway with hot water. Transfer the cake on the rack above and bake for 3 hours in the preheated oven or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
• When cooking time is up, transfer it to a wire rack to cool off completely before taking the springform off and peeling off the paper.
• Place the cake on a couple pieces of plastic film and wrap it up nice and tight. Transfer the wrapped cake onto foil and wrap it tightly.
• Place it in a cake tin to protect it even more and store the fruitcake in a cool, dark place until ready to serve. If you'd like to increase the flavor even more before the Holidays, please read the blog.

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
• Combine flour and baking soda; set aside.
• In a large bowl combine mincemeat and sweetened condensed milk. Stir in beaten eggs then the fruit and walnuts. Add the flour/baking soda mixture and stir until combined.
• Spoon batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake approximately 1 hour 20 minutes or until test in middle of cake comes out clean. (I cook to 1 hour 10 minutes then start testing every 10 minutes until cake tests for doneness. If it's over baked it will be dry, otherwise the cake will come out perfectly moist. Be diligent with your testing.).
• Cool 15 minutes. Turn out of pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely. Cake may be cut into individual portions and wrapped in foil and frozen.
• To make in loaf pans, spoon 3/4 full. Bake 300 degrees for 1 hour or until test in middle of cake comes out clean.

Steps:

• Butter a 9 inch springform pan.
• Line with wax paper.
• Butter again.
• Sift flour and baking soda.
• Combine eggs, mincemeat, sweetened condensed milk, chopped walnuts and candied fruit.
• Fold in dry ingredients.
• Pour into pan.
• Bake in 300°F oven for 2 hours, until center springs back and top is golden.
• Cool thoroughly.
• Turn out and remove wax paper.
• Refrigerate, well wrapped, at least 24 hours before decorating, slicing and serving.

Steps:

• Toast the nuts, either on the stove top in a large skillet over medium-high heat or in the oven at 350F for about 8 minutes. Cool the nuts.
• Coarsely chop all the dried fruits, crystallized ginger and nuts. Place them all in a large mixing bowl. Add the orange and lemon zest and mix well. Pour the apple juice, rum and triple sec over the fruit. Mix well. Cover and let sit for 8 hours or more, stirring the mixture once or twice during that time. There should be very little liquid left at the bottom of the bowl after soaking.
• Adjust oven rack to the middle of the oven with another rack right under it. Preheat oven to 275°F Grease 8 small loaf pans or 4 large loaf pans. Cover the bottoms and sides with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs just a bit. Lightly grease the parchment.
• In a large bowl of an electric mixer beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. And golden syrup, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the flour, spices, vanilla and salt.
• Mix the fruit once more to ensure there is not a puddle of liquid at the bottom of the bowl. Pour the batter over the fruit mixture and mix until well combined. Fill each prepared pan with batter no more than 2/3 full.
• Take a clean 13x9 pan and fill it with very hot water. Place in the bottom rack of the oven. Put cake pans with batter on the middle rack. Bake at 275F for 40 minutes. Switch pans around and from front to back. This ensures even baking. Bake for another 35 to 45 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the middle of one comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. Take the cakes out of the oven and place on wire racks.
• If using, place the rum and triple sec to be used for baking in a clean spray bottle. While the cakes are still warm, spray each with the mixture until the top of the cakes look a bit moist. When the cakes have cooled, cover each in aluminum foil. Each day for one week spritz the cakes with the liquor mixture until they are wet on top. You can also use a pastry brush dipped in the liquor mixture to brush the cakes if you prefer. Spritz the cakes every other day for another week. Keep spritzing until the liquor is used up. Let the cakes rest covered in aluminum foil in a cool dry place for a few days or up to one week. The cakes should cure for at least 2 weeks, but preferably 3 to 4 weeks. Cut into slices and enjoy.
• This cake is great toasted with some cream cheese or mascarpone cheese on top.

Steps:

• Pour bourbon over combined fruits and nuts, cover and let stand for 2-3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 275°F.
• Measure remaining ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
• Stir a few times to incorporate, then beat on high for 3 minutes.
• Stir in drained fruit mixture.
• Keep the leftover bourbon for brushing the cake.
• Spread into evenly greased 12-cup fluted or angel food pan or 2 greased 6 cup fluted pans.
• Press mixture firmly into pan.
• Bake in preheated oven at 275°F for 3-3 1/2 hours (time for the 12 c pan), or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cool in the pan for 20 minutes.
• Invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.
• Wrap tightly in Saran wrap and store dark and cool.
• If you like, brush with remaining bourbon once a week until Xmas.