Traditional Christmas Cake

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Place a shallow pan of water in bottom of oven.

Grease fruit cake pans, line with parchment paper and grease again.

Combine and let stand overnight…

2 lbs. raisins

2 lbs. dates, chopped

2 cups red glace cherries, halved

2 cups green glace cherries, halved

1 cup brandy

The next day, dredge fruit mixture in 1 cup flour.

Prepare and set aside…

2 cups walnuts, chopped

1 cup almonds, chopped

Sift together…

7 cups flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cloves

2 teaspoons nutmeg

4 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream…

2 lbs. butter (4 cups)

Gradually beat in…

4 cups brown sugar

8 eggs

Mix together…

2 cups molasses

2 cups strong coffee (we brewed Diablo Dark 200 grams per small batch)

Add sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with liquid.

Make 3 dry and 2 liquid additions, combining lightly after each addition.

Fold in floured fruit and nuts

Turn into prepared pans.

Bake in 250 degree F. oven for 3 to 3 ½ hours or until cake tests done with a toothpick.

Let cool. Remove from pans and lift off parchment paper. Cool and store.

Note: This recipe makes 12 small loaf cakes. Scale batter @ 600 grams , bake 2 hours @                degrees C.

Brad's Favorite Fruit Cake

I mentioned earlier that I didn't like dark fruit cake. Not only do I not like the rum but it is also the combination of dates and molasses that gives it that heart burn taste. Sorry that the best way I can describe the taste. So needless to say I really liked this version of dark fruit cake. Enjoy!

Mix together:

1 lb. raisins
3/4 cups of butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups of water

Bring these ingredients to a boil for 8 minutes and let cool. When lukewarm add 1 tsp of baking soda dissolved in 1 tbsp of warm water.

Pour ingredients into a large bowl and add:

4 well beaten eggs
3/4 lb cherries (either red and green or a combination)
3/4 lb chopped nuts
1 lb mixed peel

Sift the following ingredients together and add to the above mixture gradually beating well after each addition:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp mace

Line a bake pot with greased waxed paper. Pour in the cake mixture and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 375 degrees.

Mom's Christmas Pineapple Fruit Cake

Growing up I never liked Dark Fruit Cake. I guess because it was soaked in rum. So Mom always made this cake for me. I hope you enjoy it just as much as I do!

Ingredients

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup sugar

¾ cup butter

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoons vanilla

19 ounce tin crushed pineapple

1 tub cherries

1 cup coconut

1 package raisins

Preparation

Cream butter and sugar.

Add eggs one at a time.

Add pineapple.

Add flour, baking powder, pineapple juice, coconut and other ingredients.

Bake 300 degrees F. for 1 to 1/2 hours.