**Dive into the Delights of Mom's Fruitcake with Brandy: A Culinary Journey of Richness and Nostalgia**
Indulge in the timeless tradition of Mom's Fruitcake with Brandy, a delectable confection that captures the essence of holiday cheer and family togetherness. This classic recipe, passed down through generations, promises an explosion of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and evoke fond memories. With its moist and dense crumb, studded with a medley of dried fruits, nuts, and candied citrus, this fruitcake is a true testament to the art of baking. Enhanced by the subtle warmth of brandy, each bite offers a symphony of sweet, tangy, and boozy notes that will leave you craving more. Whether you're a seasoned baker looking to recreate a cherished family recipe or a novice eager to explore the world of festive baking, this detailed guide will lead you step-by-step through the process of creating this iconic holiday treat. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that promises to fill your home with the aromatic scents of the season.
**Recipes Included:**
* **Mom's Fruitcake with Brandy:** The quintessential recipe that forms the foundation of this beloved holiday tradition. This comprehensive guide includes all the essential steps, from gathering ingredients to baking and storing the fruitcake, ensuring a perfect result every time.
* **Variations and Adaptations:** Explore creative twists on the classic fruitcake recipe. Discover how to incorporate different dried fruits, nuts, and spices to cater to your personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Learn to create gluten-free, vegan, or alcohol-free versions of this timeless treat.
* **Serving Suggestions:** Elevate your fruitcake experience with a variety of serving ideas. From simple dusting with powdered sugar to lavish garnishes of fresh fruits, nuts, and whipped cream, this section provides inspiration for presenting your fruitcake in style. Discover how to pair it with complementary beverages and create an unforgettable dessert experience.
* **Storage and Preservation Tips:** Ensure the longevity and freshness of your fruitcake with expert storage techniques. Learn how to properly wrap and store the cake to maintain its moist texture and prevent spoilage. Discover the secrets to preserving the fruitcake's flavors and aromas for weeks or even months, making it a delightful treat to enjoy throughout the holiday season and beyond.
BRANDY-AGED FRUITCAKE
Traditional Aged Fruitcake with dried fruits, spice and lots of brandy. This cake should be made at least 4 weeks before serving and can be made 3-4 months ahead of time. Serve unadorned or with the marzipan and fondant to finish.
Provided by Eileen Gray
Categories Cakes/Cupcakes Recipes
Time 13h25m
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Combine all the nuts and dried fruits with the lemon zest and juice. Add the 2/3 cup of brandy and toss to coat the fruit and nuts with the liquor. Cover the bowl and let it sit overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9" cake pan with a parchment round. (see note)
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon,nutmeg, ginger and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and aerated. Scrape down the bowl and the beater. Add the eggs, two at a time. Mix until combined then scrape down the bowl and the beater.
- With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 batches and mix until combined. Fold in the soaked fruit and all the liquid.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out to an even layer. Bake until a toothpick poked in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 55 minutes. As soon as the pan is removed from the oven pour 1/4 cup of brandy over the top of the cake.
- Cool the cake to room temperature before removing from the pan. Wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature.
- Once a week for at least 4 weeks, unwrap the cake and generously brush on all sides with more brandy.
- Unwrap the cake. Glue the cake to a cardboard cake circle using a dab of royal icing. Trim the cake cardboard to the same size as the cake. Place on another cardboard circle or serving plate. Ice the cake with apricot preserves.
- Roll the marzipan to a 14" round. Roll the marzipan onto the rolling pin then transfer and unroll onto the cake. Trim the marzipan flush with the bottom of the cake and board. Brush the marzipan with brandy.
- Roll the fondant to a 14" round and cover the cake over the marzipan. Trim the fondant flush with the bottom of the cake and board.
- Add dragees, stencils, glitter and marzipan holly or other decorations as you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 296 calories, Carbohydrate 42 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 45 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 11 grams fat, Protein 4 grams protein, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1 slice, Sodium 93 milligrams sodium, Sugar 34 grams sugar
MOM'S FRUITCAKE
Our family has been making this for the past 45 years. Friends and family all love it!
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 250-275 degrees.
- Batter will make about 15 lbs. Prepare pans according to chart below. Grease and line pans with brown paper, waxed paper, or parchment. Grease again. Cut paper about 1 inch taller than pans. Fill pans a little over half full with batter. If you have room in the oven, put a pan with some hot water in it in the bottom, to keep the cakes moist. Enjoy!
- Pan sizes and baking chart:
- 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan: 6 1/2 cups batter, bake for 3 hours
- 10" tube pan: 2 1/2 quarts batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 1 lb. coffee cans: 3 3/4 cups batter, bake for 3 hrs 15 mins
- 9 1/4 oz. tuna cans: 1 cup batter, bake for 1 hour 30 mins
- No.303 (16oz) cans: 1 2/3 cup batter, bake for 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours
- 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2-inch mini loaf pans: 3/4 cup batter, bake for 1 hour
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.
RICH BRANDY CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE
A very very rich fruitcake...perfect for Christmas, just remember, the longer it sits in the tin, the tastier it will be.
Provided by Samuel Holden
Categories Dessert
Time 5h20m
Yield 8 inch cake
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- The night before you cook this place all the fruit fruit peel and nuts into a bowl and soak for 12 hours in the brandy and orange juice; Stir every time you go into the kitchen!
- pre-heat oven to 275ºF/140ºC.
- Grease and line with greaseproof paper an 8 inch/20cm round cake tin.
- Sift the flour salt and spices into a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar together until the mixtures fluffy.
- Beat the eggs and add them a little at a time.
- Fold in the flour and spices.
- Stir in the fruit that has been soaking along with any excess liquid.
- Mix in the treacle.
- Spoon into the cake tin and spread out evenly.
- Cover the cake with a double square of greaseproof paper with a small hole in the top.
- Bake the cake on the lower shelf for 4& 1/4- 3/4 hours.
- When the cake is cold wrap in double greaseproof paper and store in an airtight tin.
- Feed the cake every two days for the first 2 weeks with a spoonful of brandy and/or orange juice and/or glacè cherry syrup.
- First poke little holes in the cake with a knitting needle or a skewer.
- Come Christmas you will have a very very rich fruit cake.
- Use royal icing to ice it or almond paste and royal icing, I don't like almond paste!
Tips:
- Use a combination of dried fruits and nuts for a variety of flavors and textures.
- Soak the dried fruits in brandy or rum for at least 30 minutes before adding them to the batter.
- Use a light touch when mixing the batter to avoid over-mixing.
- Bake the fruitcake in a slow oven to prevent the outside from overcooking before the inside is done.
- Let the fruitcake cool completely before wrapping it in cheesecloth or plastic wrap and storing it in a cool, dark place.
- Fruitcake can be stored for up to 3 months if properly wrapped and stored.
Conclusion:
Mom's Fruitcake With Brandy is a delicious and festive holiday treat. With its rich, fruity flavor and moist texture, this fruitcake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just because you love fruitcake, this recipe is sure to please.
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