**Apricot and Macadamia Fruitcake: A Festive Treat for All Occasions**
Indulge in the delectable flavors of the Apricot and Macadamia Fruitcake, a classic holiday treat that's perfect for any occasion. This moist and flavorful cake is studded with tender dried apricots, crunchy macadamia nuts, and a medley of warm spices, all enveloped in a rich and buttery batter. With three variations to choose from—Apricot and Macadamia, Apricot and Pistachio, and Apricot and Walnut—this recipe offers a delightful twist on the traditional fruitcake. Whether you prefer the nutty crunch of macadamias, the vibrant green of pistachios, or the earthy flavor of walnuts, there's a variation that will tantalize your taste buds. So grab your apron and let's embark on a culinary journey to create this festive masterpiece.
APRICOT FRUITCAKE
My husband didn't care for fruitcake (which I love) - till he tasted this one. He and I have three children. He's an avid fishermen...when others are canning fruits and vegetables, I'm busy canning and smoking salmon! -Clare Brooks, Juneau, Alaska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 2h55m
Yield 2 loaves (18 slices each).
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the fruits, nuts, honey, water and lemon juice; set aside. , In another large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Fold into fruit mixture. Combine dry ingredients; gradually fold into the fruit mixture until evenly coated. Pour into two greased and waxed paper-lined 9x5-in. loaf pans. , With a shallow pan of water in the bottom of the oven, bake at 275° for 2-1/2 hours or until cake tests done. Cover with foil during the last 30 minutes. , Cool 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Remove waxed paper and wrap each cake in foil. Place in plastic bags and store in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 360 calories, Fat 20g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 117mg sodium, Carbohydrate 45g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein.
THE BEST FRUITCAKE
Fruitcakes have become the punchline of many a holiday joke, but this recipe will give the notorious seasonal gift a whole new reputation. Filled with loads of real dried fruit and nuts along with brandy, warm spices and citrus, this cake tastes like the holidays. The recipe makes two loaves so you can gift one.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 14h30m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 25
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.
APRICOT FRUITCAKE
This is another great fruitcake for the holidays. Originally submitted to CakeRecipe.com. Pecans can be substituted for walnuts.
Provided by Carol
Categories Desserts Cakes Holiday Cake Recipes
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease two 9 inch tube pans.
- In a saucepan over medium heat cook apricots in the water until they are mushy. Press them through a sieve and let them cool.
- Separate the eggs. Beat the egg yolks until lemony colored. Then beat the egg whites until stiff peaks are formed. Set aside.
- Cream the butter or margarine and sugar together. Add the beaten egg yolks and the apricots, and mix thoroughly.
- Combine the raisins, candied cherries, candied pineapple, and mixed dried fruits in a bowl coated with one cup of the flour.
- Combine the remaining flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this flour mixture alternately to the creamed mixture with the apricot juice. Blend this batter into the mixed fruits. Add the chopped pecans or walnuts and fold in the beaten egg whites. Turn the batter into the prepared pans.
- Bake at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 2 hours. Garnish cakes with candied pineapples and cherries. Makes about 24 servings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 296.3 calories, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 46.3 mg, Fat 10 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 145.2 mg, Sugar 26.2 g
APRICOT AND MACADAMIA FRUITCAKE
Why did I collect all these fruitcake recipes? It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Please let us know if you try this one!
Provided by Chef MB
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 1 loaf, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
APRICOT & ALMOND FRUITCAKE
This bake is lighter than the traditional rich fruitcake and is a blank canvas to ice and decorate as you wish
Provided by Sarah Cook
Categories Dessert
Time 1h55m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Mix the sultanas and sherry and set aside for 1 hr to soak.
- Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease a deep, 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin, and line the base and sides with a double layer of baking parchment that comes about 2.5cm above the sides of the tin. In your largest mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one by one.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, and the ground and flaked almonds. Next, add the soaked sultanas with any remaining sherry, the dried apricots, the mixed peel, and all the zest and juice. Scrape into the cake tin, smoothing out the surface.
- Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 1 hr 25 mins. Poke with a skewer in the centre to check it is cooked - if the skewer comes out with any uncooked mixture stuck to it, bake for 10 mins more before checking again. Cool in the tin. Decorated, or wrapped in greaseproof paper and foil, the cake will keep for up to a month.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 486 calories, Fat 27 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 56 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 43 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.53 milligram of sodium
APRICOT CAKE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a little of the butter to grease a 9-inch round baking pan with a removable bottom. Dust the pan with a little of the flour. Sift the remaining flour with the baking powder and salt and set aside.
- Cream the remaining butter with the brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the flour mixture and the vanilla.
- Spread the batter in the baking pan. Arrange the apricot slices on the top. Put in the oven and bake about 25 minutes, until the top of the cake looks fairly firm and is just beginning to brown.
- Sprinkle with the granulated sugar, return to the oven and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cake is nicely browned. Remove from the oven, allow to cool 10 minutes, then remove the sides of the pan. Serve the cake while it is still warm, with creme fraiche, whipped cream or vanilla frozen yogurt on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 381, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 139 milligrams, Sugar 36 grams, TransFat 1 gram
DOWAGER DUCHESS FRUITCAKE
Make sure to plan ahead: This cake needs to sit for at least one month to allow the flavors to develop. To serve, slice it as thinly as possible.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Yield Makes five 5 3/4-by-3-inch tea loaves, or two 9-by-5-by-2 1/2-inch tea loaves
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line bottoms of pans with buttered parchment. Combine candied citrus and almonds in a mixing bowl, and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl at least twice. Stir in 3 tablespoons sherry and the citrus zest.
- Reduce speed of mixer to low. Add flour, 1 cup at a time, beating until just combined. Fold in candied citrus and almonds.
- Pour the batter into prepared pans. Bake until golden and set and a cake tester inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes (20 to 30 minutes for larger cakes).
- Remove the cakes from oven, and douse each with 3 tablespoons sherry. Cool the cakes completely on a wire rack. Remove cakes from loaf pans, and discard parchment paper. Wrap the cakes in muslin or cheesecloth. Store in a cool, dark, dry place, dousing cakes with several tablespoons of sherry once a week for at least 1 month before serving.
Tips:
- Use a variety of dried fruits and nuts. This will give your fruitcake a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include apricots, macadamia nuts, cherries, and raisins.
- Soak the dried fruits in alcohol before using. This will help to plump them up and make them more flavorful. You can use any type of alcohol you like, but rum, brandy, or orange liqueur are all good choices.
- Use a combination of light and dark brown sugar. This will give your fruitcake a rich, molasses-like flavor.
- Add some spices to the batter. This will help to warm up the flavor of the fruitcake. Some good options include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Bake the fruitcake in a low oven for a long time. This will help to prevent it from drying out. A good rule of thumb is to bake the fruitcake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours.
- Let the fruitcake cool completely before storing it. This will help to prevent it from crumbling.
- Store the fruitcake in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep it fresh for up to 6 months.
Conclusion:
Apricot and macadamia fruitcake is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be stored for up to 6 months. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this recipe a try.
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