A Special Holiday Fruitcake
Did you know that in England it is still customary for unmarried wedding guests to put a slice of dark fruitcake under their pillow so that they will dream of the person they are to marry?
Fruitcake has been a holiday tradition which dates backs to the Egyptian and Roman times. According to some historians, Egyptian fruitcake was considered an important food for the afterlife. In ancient Rome, it was used as deadly catapult ammunition, and also an energetic compact foodstuff for the long campaigns waged by the conquering Roman legions; then centuries later, it became known as a decadent dessert.
Image via Google Images
It was associated with the holidays when the English started the practice of passing out slices of cake to poor women who sang Christmas carols in the street during the late 1700s. Fruitcake’s full of healthy nutrients. The fruit and fiber in fruitcake is full of anti-oxidants, molecules that protect cells from disease and damage; it’s a healthy and hearty treat for all and a special dessert during the holiday season.
Image via Google Images
Special Holiday Fruitcake Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped dried pineapple
1 cup chopped dried pears
1 large apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1 -3/4 cups dark rum
1 1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup blanched, almonds, toasted
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups dried apricots or peaches
2-/12 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups raisins
2/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 large eggs
Instructions:
Step # 1
Combine the dried fruits, apple and 1-1/4 cups of rum in a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan heat the orange juice over low heat until warm. Pour it over the fruits, cover it and let it stand at room temperature, not forgetting to toss it frequently until the liquid has been absorbed by the fruits, then refrigerate it over night.
Step # 2
Preheat the oven to 325 deg. then put an oven rack to the middle shelf and butter a loaf pan. Dust the pan with flour and shake off any excess flour.
Step # 3
In a small bowl, sift a cup of flour with nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt, then add the remaining flour and the toasted almonds to the fruits, and toss it carefully making sure everything is mixed well then set it aside.
Step # 4
In another large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one a time, and then fold the batter into the fruit mixture mixing them well.
Step # 5
In a prepared pan, put the mixture and smooth the top. Bake it for about 1 hour 20 minutes and insert a small bamboo skewer in the center. Pull the bamboo skewer, when it comes out clean then it’s cooked. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then turn it out onto a rack.
Step # 6
In a small saucepan, combine the honey and the remaining rum and cook over low heat, stirring until the honey has dissolved, so that’s about 2 minutes. Brush half of the hot glaze over the top and sides of the cake. Then gently turn the cake over, and brush on the remaining glaze. Set it aside and let it cool.
Step # 7
Wrap the cake tightly in a plastic wrap first then in aluminum foil. Let it for a couple of days at room temperature before serving.
Step # 8
Enjoy your fruitcake ^_^
# 1 by drelayaraja
November 25th, 2009 at 12:56 am #
Great recipe. Its delicious to see… Want to eat.
# 2 by Themax
November 25th, 2009 at 12:58 am #
Yes in every Christmas we must have fruit cake and really without fruit cake I can’t think my Christmas! Thanks for the delicious and easy recipe now I cook it alone
Nice Title description , I didn’t knew that fact also very yummy pictures,Thanks!
# 3 by shanthu
November 25th, 2009 at 1:07 am #
great recipe….
# 4 by abhishek40914
November 25th, 2009 at 1:23 am #
looks yummy, i’ll surely try it
# 5 by grapefruit
November 25th, 2009 at 1:42 am #
mmm, i love fruitcake. i should try doing this next christmas.
# 6 by Rinkal Desai
November 25th, 2009 at 1:48 am #
I enjoyed while reading this article,Thank you
# 7 by ken bultman
November 25th, 2009 at 2:27 am #
A healthy holiday staple.
# 8 by svishnugopal
November 25th, 2009 at 2:42 am #
christmas delight…thanks i love pineapple cakes..
# 9 by keyur
November 25th, 2009 at 2:51 am #
Very well done…
# 10 by Annashank
November 25th, 2009 at 4:24 am #
Going to try this
# 11 by Priyanka Bhowmick
November 25th, 2009 at 5:15 am #
dat luks so Yummm!! loved the description
# 12 by Christine Ramsay
November 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am #
I love fruit cake and always have one at Christmas. I hadn’t heard about putting cake under your pillow to dream about suitors before. That looks like a really delicious recipe.
Christine
# 13 by Mystify
November 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm #
This is a wonderful fruitcake to have for the holidays!! Fab share Alma,and a very timely one!!
# 14 by joyhyena29
November 25th, 2009 at 10:41 pm #
yummy…nka2gutum^_^
# 15 by Teves
November 25th, 2009 at 11:27 pm #
Nice recipe…
# 16 by papaleng
November 26th, 2009 at 9:16 am #
Yummy, my son loves fruitcake. Ask my wife to prepare him one. Thanks
# 17 by Jon Abraham
November 26th, 2009 at 10:58 pm #
Great article, pictures look like they’re waiting to jump out to be eaten!
# 18 by Anamika S
November 28th, 2009 at 12:51 am #
I Love Cakes! This one looks yummy!
# 19 by BeggarInTheSuit
November 28th, 2009 at 11:11 pm #
great recipe.. it looks yummy.. I think it is about time for me to learn this classic recipe.
# 20 by William J Felchner
November 29th, 2009 at 9:40 pm #
Well, I’m not much of a cook – microwave is my specialty – so I have to buy my fruit cake. The holidays wouldn’t be the same without it.
# 21 by Goodselfme
November 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm #
I would probably get hungry knowing it was under my pillow and have a mid night snack.This is a great recipe.TX
# 22 by PhoenixRox
December 5th, 2009 at 2:32 am #
Yummmmyy. You share the best recipes ever!
Thanks.