HOLIDAY FRUIT CAKE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°. Combine fruit and nuts. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour over fruit and nuts; stir to coat. , Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place. Bring to room temperature before serving; slice with a serrated knife.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the raisins, apricots, figs, ginger, and brandy (sub whiskey or apple cider if you like). Cover and let soak for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring a few times during the soak.  Preheat the oven to 300F. Butter or spray 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans with baking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. With mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. With a spatula, fold in the candied cherries, nuts, and soaked fruit. Divide the batter evenly among the two baking pans.  Bake for 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the cake to release it from the edges. Remove and place them on a cooling rack. Generously brush tops and sides of the cakes with brandy or whiskey (you can also use simple syrup). Cool completely. Store the cakes tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 6 weeks.