My Non Fruitcake Fruitcake Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add pecans, cherries, pineapple and dates; toss to coat. Beat eggs and orange juice; add to fruit mixture and mix well. Line two 9x5-in. loaf pans with foil and grease the foil. Pour fruit mixture into pans and press down. Bake at 300° for 1-3/4 to 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans. Remove foil. Brush with corn syrup; cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a very large bowl mix the batter posted here or quick bread mixes according to package directions. If using my quick bread recipe, I use oil and mix wet ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and stir wet into dry gently.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into greased and floured (lightly floured) tube pan. You could also use baking paper to line, I don't.
• Baking time will vary quite a bit but is long; 1 1/2 to 2 hours plus. Is done when a knife inserted comes out just clean.
• Cool on wire rack and turn out when barely warm. I also cool mine upside down on top of a bottle if I have a bottle that fits!
• As you can see, there is more stuff than batter and turns out lively and fresh tasting. I prefer the cranberry bread mix. You can also use a double recipe of your own quick bread recipe which yields enough batter for 2 loaves. The cranberry adds a zippier flavor!
• Serve in fairly thin slices. I have never counted the slices as with any fruitcake some will break apart a bit. So I am using my best guess here!
• This freezes extremely well. My mother freezes much of her share by slicing, wrapping in foil or wax paper and placing each slice into a plastic sandwich bag. Thaw at room temperature. You can also cut the cake into portions (ie 4-6.
• large pieces) and freeze this way. Makes a great breakfast as well!

Steps:

• Combine dried fruits, candied ginger and both zests. Add rum and macerate overnight, or microwave for 5 minutes to re-hydrate fruit.
• Place fruit and liquid in a non-reactive pot with the sugar, butter, apple juice and spices. Bring mixture to a boil stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes. (Batter can be completed up to this point, then covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before completing cake.)
• Heat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine dry ingredients and sift into fruit mixture. Quickly bring batter together with a large wooden spoon, then stir in eggs one at a time until completely integrated, then fold in nuts. Spoon into a 10-inch non-stick loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Check for doneness by inserting toothpick into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done. If not, bake another 10 minutes, and check again.
• Remove cake from oven and place on cooling rack or trivet. Baste or spritz top with brandy and allow to cool completely before turning out from pan.
• When cake is completely cooled, seal in a tight sealing, food safe container. Every 2 to 3 days, feel the cake and if dry, spritz with brandy. The cake's flavor will enhance considerably over the next two weeks. If you decide to give the cake as a gift, be sure to tell the recipient that they are very lucky indeed.

Steps:

• Line a 9x5-in. loaf pan with waxed paper; coat the paper with cooking spray; set aside. In a saucepan, combine milk and orange juice concentrate. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in remaining ingredients; mix well. Pat into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix the candied cherries, chopped pecans, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, flaked coconut, raisins, vanilla, and crushed vanilla wafers. Batter will be very stiff. Place into pan and store in the refrigerator.