Enjoy National Fruitcake Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest,

There are some foods you only see during the holidays....the other day we talked about eggnog, and today, its fruitcake.  I don't think I have seen fruitcake at any other time of the year, or even the fruit to make it with.  Fruitcake has been around for quite a while, but contrary to Johnny Carson, it’s not the same one being passed around from person to person.

Fruitcake is cake made with chopped candied fruit, nuts and then it may or may not be soaked in spirits…such as brandy.  The alcohol preserves the cake and prevents mold and will keep it edible for many years.  In fact, one family has an heirloom fruitcake made in 1878, and in 2003 it was sampled by Jay Leno, on the tonight show.

There are a couple of companies that are well known for Fruitcake, one is Collins Street Bakery in Texas and the other is Claxton Bakery in Georgia.  Today is National fruitcake day, so if you got some as a gift, have a piece, if not, below is a good recipe for you to try.

Great Fruitcake Recipe

You'll need the following: a cup of water, a cup of sugar, four large eggs, two cups of dried fruit, a teaspoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of salt, a cup of brown sugar, lemon juice, nuts, and a bottle of whisky.

Sample the whisky to check for quality.

Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again. To be sure it is the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again.

Make sure the whisky is still okay. Try another cup. Turn off the mixer. Break two legs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fried fruit gets stuck in the batterers pry it loose with a screw driver.

Sample the whisky to check for consistency. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares? Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find.

Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window, check the whisky again and go to bed.

White Fruitcake Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped candied pineapple

1/2 cup chopped citron

3/4 cup finely chopped or shredded almonds

1 1/2 cups coconut

2 1/4 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

6 egg whites

Preparation:

Prepare fruits and almonds. Measure the sifted flour and reserve a few tablespoons to dredge fruit. Sift remaining flour into a bowl with baking powder and salt.

In mixing bowl cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy.

Stir in sifted dry ingredients, alternating with the milk.

Beat well and add the dredged candied fruit, shredded or chopped almonds, and the coconut. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter.

Line a greased loaf pan with waxed paper or parchment paper and grease the paper. Spoon batter into the prepared pan.

Bake at 300° for about 90 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted around center of cake comes out clean.

(Google Image)