Festive Fruitcake Recipes

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease four 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans, and then line with brown paper or foil. Grease again.
• In a large container stir raisins, currants, candied fruit mix, candied cherries, maraschino cherries, dates, and 1 cup flour together until all the fruit is well coated with flour.
• Measure 2 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a medium bowl. Stir to mix.
• In a very large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar. Beat in egg yolks three at a time. Stir in pineapple with juice and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 parts alternately with fruit juice in 2 parts to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in walnuts.
• In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into batter, and stir in fruit gently. Divide batter among pans. Smooth.
• Bake for about 3 hours until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan with flour no-stick cooking spray.
• COMBINE water, oil and eggs in large bowl. Beat well. Add quick bread mix, pecans, raisins, cherries and pineapple. Stir with spoon until combined. Pour into prepared pan.
• BAKE 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool 1 hour longer or until completely cooled.
• WRAP tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate at least 8 hours. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for up to 3 months.
• Just before serving: HEAT jelly or syrup in microwave 10 seconds or until melted and smooth. Brush over fruitcake. Garnish with additional cherries and pecans, if desired.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.
• In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKES

Steps:

• Line three 8x4-in. loaf pans with foil and grease the foil; set aside. In a large bowl, combine eggs and water. Stir in the bread mixes, candied fruit, pecans and raisins. Pour into prepared pans. , Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Carefully remove foil. Wrap in plastic or foil. Store in the refrigerator for several days to mellow. Cut with a serrated knife.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine fruit and nuts in a bowl. Sprinkle 2 or 3 teaspoons of flour over the fruit mixture and stir to lightly coat the fruit.
• Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until light and creamy.
• Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture and blend well.
• Stir in fruit mix. The dough will be very stiff - I found mixing with my handmixer dough hooks easier!
• Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto parchment covered baking sheets, flattening very slightly with the spoon.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden.