Best 4 Mikes Fabulous Fruitcake Recipes

WORLD'S BEST FRUIT CAKE

Steps:

• The Day Before Baking: Combine the dried fruit in a large mixing bowl. Add the dark rum, cover, and allow the mixture to soak at room temperature for a minimum of 12 hours, or ideally 24 hours prior to preparing the fruit cake batter.
• Prepare the Fruitcake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) with a rack in the center position. Set aside two 8x4-inch All Clad Pro-Release Bakeware Loaf Pans. If using these pans, you do not need to line or grease the pans prior to adding the batter. Equipment Note: This fruitcake can also be prepared using 9x5-inch loaf pans. If using other types of pans, lightly grease and line with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and light brown sugar together over medium-high speed for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating just until each egg is incorporated. The mixture will look slightly broken, that's ok.
• Over low speed, slowly add the flour mixture until just absorbed. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Add the lemon zest, orange zest, fresh orange juice, grated apple, slivered almonds, diced candied ginger, soaked dried fruit mixture (along with any liquid if it hasn't already been absorbed), and chocoate (if using). Stir mixture with a large spatula, scraping the edges and bottom of the bowl several times, until all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated. It is a very thick, fruit heavy mixture.
• Transfer and divide the batter evenly among the loaf pans. Use an offset spatula to smooth the batter into an even layer. Set the loaf pans on the center rack, several inches apart from one another. Bake - rotating the pans halfway - for 75 to 90 minutes or until the batter is set and the tops are golden brown. The edges of the cake may also start to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool completely before removing from the pans.
• Storing and Aging: Once the cake has cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the loaf pans and set upright. Soak two large pieces of cheesecloth in medium sherry or triple sec (*they should be lightly damp, not soaking wet when you wrap the cakes, so you may need to squeeze out any excess liquor). Wrap each cake tightly. Cover loafs with wax paper and foil before transferring to a large Ziploc bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 to 8 weeks (it can often last even longer). You can serve this cake right after it has cooled, but the flavors improve greatly with time (I recommend several days or up to a week, at minimum). Unwrap and re-soak the cheesecloth once a week.
• For Garnishing: If desired, you can top the fruitcake with a light apricot glaze and whole pecans before serving. Note: I don't recommend glazing the cake if you wish to continue to wrap and age the fruitcake. To Prepare the Glaze: Combine the apricot preserves and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a light simmer, stirring until the glaze is shiny and thin. If it is too thin for glazing, reduce to desired consistency. If it becomes too thick, add a teaspoon of water. Brush the tops of the fruitcakes with apricot glaze and garnish with whole pecans.
• Serving Notes: Slice fruit cake with a serrated knife. Serve on its own or spread with a small amount of salted butter.

MINI FRUITCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat over to 350°. In a small saucepan, heat sherry, sugar and margarine until sugar is dissolved. Cool. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl, beat egg and vanilla; stir into cooled sherry mixture until thoroughly combined. Add sherry mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened., In a large bowl, toss fruits and nuts to combine. Stir in batter. Fill 30 greased mini muffin cups with 1 tablespoon of mixture. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pan 3-4 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

MINIATURE CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKES

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine molasses and water; add raisins. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in candied fruit and vanilla. Cool., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 eggs at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and spices; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Add fruit mixture, mixing well. Fold in nuts., Fill paper-lined miniature muffin cups almost full. Bake at 325° for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight containers.

FANTASTIC HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE

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.