Fruitcupcake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Combine raisins and orange rind in a microwaveable bowl and pour over the brandy. Microwave for 2 minutes then let it sit while you prepare the batter.
• With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time.
• Whisk together the dry ingredients until homogenous, then fold in the dry ingredients.
• Strain the brandy from the raisins and reserve. Stir the raisins, pineapple, and pecans into the batter.
• Grease 2 (8 by 4-inch loaf pans and line the bottom with a piece of waxed paper. Spoon the batter into the pan. Bake 3 hours. Let cool and remove from pan. Poke holes with a large skewer all over the cake.
• Soak a large piece of cheese cloth in the reserved brandy. Wrap cooled cake in cheesecloth, place in large plastic bag and store in a cool, dry place.
• It is awesome served with vanilla ice cream.

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.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, sour cream and eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium for 2 minutes. , Place 27 paper or foil liners in heart-shaped or standard muffin tins. (If using standard tins, tuck a 1/2-in. foil ball or marble between the liner and cup to form a heart shape.) Fill cups half full with batter. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center of each; fill with 1/2 teaspoon preserves. Top with remaining batter. , Bake at 350° for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake portion comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , If desired, place a third of the frosting in a small bowl; tint pink with red food coloring. Frost cupcakes with white frosting; if desired, pipe edges with pink frosting. Decorate with nonpareils and jimmies if desired.

Steps:

• Combine fruit, raisins and pecans in a bowl.
• Stir in 1 cup flour.
• Cream butter, sugar, spices and eggs until light.
• Combine remaining flour, salt and baking powder.
• Combine honey, vanilla, almond extract and brandy; blend well.
• Alternately add flour mixture and honey mixture to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in fruit-nut mixture.
• Spoon into pans-batter should be too stiff to pour.
• Bake at 250º for two hours, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• While still hot, spoon 2 tablespoons of brandy over each cake.
• When cool, cover with foil; let stand in cool place for at least two weeks; every 3 days pour one tablespoon brandy over each.

Steps:

• Put the rum (or brandy), orange zest and juice and mixed dried fruit in a bowl and stir. Leave to soak overnight.
• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3½. Double line a 20cm tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs one by one, then fold in the almonds and flour. Add a pinch of salt and fold in the soaked fruit mixture (and any remaining liquid in the bowl), along with the nuts, candied peel and ginger. Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface.
• Bake for 1 hr, then turn the oven down to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and bake for a further 2 hrs. Check the cake to see if it's pulling away from the sides of the tin and feels firm on top. If you need to, keep cooking for a further 15 mins. Cool in the tin. If storing in the tin, wrap the cake tightly first. Will freeze for up to two months.
• To decorate, brush the cake with the apricot jam (or glaze) and arrange your choice of candied fruit on top. Will keep in a sealed container for up to three weeks.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to moderate (180C/160C fan-forced).
• Line 12-hole standard muffin pan with paper cases.
• Beat butter, sugar, eggs and flour in small bowl with electric mixer on low speed until ingredients are just combined.
• Increase speed to medium, beat until mixture is changed to a paler colour.
• Stir in passionfruit pulp.
• Divide mixture among cases, smooth surface.
• Bake cakes about 20 minutes.
• Turn cakes onto wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. Grease and line the base of two 20cm springform cake tins with baking parchment.
• Stir together the oil and sugar, add the eggs, flour, baking powder, spices and juices, and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon until pourable and reasonably runny. Gently fold in the fruit, then divide the batter evenly between the tins. Bake for 20-25 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean, then leave to cool.
• When cool, remove from the tins and sandwich the cakes together with jam. Sieve some icing sugar on top to serve.

Steps:

• Soak the currants in the amaretto at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Strain and set aside; reserve the amaretto. Beat the butter, 2 cups all-purpose flour, the almond flour, granulated sugar, milk powder, salt and egg in a large bowl with a mixer on low speed until combined but not fluffy, about 1 minute. Mix in the currants and candied citron.
• Toss the candied cherries with the remaining 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Stir into the dough using a wooden spoon. Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a 12-inch-long log. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 5 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice the frozen dough into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Arrange the slices 1 inch apart on the prepared pans.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are firm and light golden around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pans, then brush the tops and sides of each cookie with the reserved amaretto. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Roll the edges of each cookie in the confectioners' sugar.

Steps:

• Snip off the hard stems of the figs with scissors or a small knife and coarsely chop the figs. In a medium bowl, combine the figs, raisins, cherries, apricots, honey, sherry, lemon juice, pecans, and a pinch of salt. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight at room temperature.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, cloves, superfine sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg and mix until incorporated. With the mixer still on low, slowly add the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt just until combined. Don't over mix! Add the fruits and nuts, including any liquid in the bowl.
• Divide the dough in half and place each half on the long edge of a 12 by 18-inch piece of parchment or waxed paper. Roll each half into a log, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4-inch thick, making an 18-inch-long roll. Refrigerate the dough for several hours, or until firm.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• With a small, sharp knife, cut the logs into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place the slices 1/2-inch apart on ungreased sheet pans and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden.

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 250°F.
• Brush 2 9x5x3 loaf pans lightly with oil, then line bottom and sides with foil, pressing corners to help adhere.
• Sift together flour, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and nutmeg into a large bowl.
• Toss currants and raisins with 2 tablespoons flour mixture in a bowl.
• Stir together coffee and baking soda in a small bowl until dissolved.
• Beat together the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add eggs, 2 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in molasses.
• Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and coffee mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just smooth.
• Fold in dried fruit mixture.
• Divide batter between loaf pans and smooth tops by gently rapping bottom of each pan against counter.
• Bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of each cake comes out clean, 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 hours (cakes may sink slightly in center).
• Cool pans on racks 10 minutes, then loosen foil from sides of pans with knife and turn out cakes onto racks.
• Peel off foil and cool cakes completely, about 3 hours.

Steps:

• Sample the wine to check for quality.
• Take a large bowl.
• Check the wine again to make sure it's of the highest quality.
• Pour 1 level cup and drink.
• Repeat if your're not sure.
• Turn on the electric mixer and beat butter in a large fluffy bowl.
• Add sugar and beat again.
• Make sure wine is still okay. Cry another cup.
• Turn off the mixer.
• Break two legs and add the bowl along with the vanilla extract and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
• Mix on the turner.
• If the fruit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a screwdriver.
• Sample the wine again to check for tonsisticity.
• Next, Sift 2 cups of salt or something. Who cares.
• Check the wine.
• Now sift the lemon juice and strain the nuts.
• Add 1 table. Spoon. Of sugar or flour or something. Whatever you can find.
• Grease the oven.
• Turn the cake pan to 350 degrees.
• Throw one bowl outside the window.
• Check the wine again.
• Go to bed.
• Who the heck likes fruitcake anyway?

Steps:

• Put the butter, sugar, chocolate, brandy, vanilla and dried fruits into a large saucepan. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until everything has melted together. Remove from the heat.
• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line a deep cake tin, 20cm round or 18cm square, with a double layer of baking parchment. Wrap a few layers of newspaper around the outside and secure with string.
• Mix the flour, almonds, cocoa and spice together. Stir the eggs into the slightly cooled chocolate mixture in the saucepan, followed by the flour mixture. Scrape into your prepared tin and bake for 1½ hrs- 1 hr 45 mins or until a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool in the tin, then decorate (see 'Goes well with', right, for decoration ideas). Greaseproof-wrapped cake will keep for 2 months in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Measure golden raisins, currants, candied fruit, pecans and 1/2 cup flour into bowl. Stir well to coat. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla and brandy flavoring.
• Stir 1 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together and add.
• Mix in fruit. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
• Bake in 325 F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Steps:

• The night before, pour 75ml of the brandy over the fruit, cover and leave to sit, letting the fruit soak up the alcohol.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line a deep, 25cm square cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside, so that it comes about 2.5cm above the sides of the tin, and secure with string.
• Sift the flour, spices, cocoa powder and ½ tsp salt together. Mix a third of this mixture into the soaked fruit. Cream the butter, zests and sugar until light and fluffy, stir in the treacle, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in half the remaining flour mixture. Once mixed, fold in the fruit mixture followed by the remaining flour mixture.
• Spoon into the prepared tin, smoothing the top with a palette knife. Bake in the centre of the oven for 2 hrs 30 mins, checking the cake with 15 mins to go. When a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean, it's ready.
• Leave to cool in the tin for 30 mins then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. To store, peel off the baking parchment, poke holes into the cake and feed with the remaining brandy. Wrap well in cling film. Will keep for three months.