Dad's Pride Fruitcake

Name: Dad's Pride Fruitcake
Ingredients: 1 (7 ounce) package marzipan; 6 ounces chopped dried figs; 1 cup chopped dried pear half; 1 cup golden raisin; 1 cup currants; 1 cup chopped dried apricot; 1 cup diced dates; 1 cup chopped dried prune; 12 cup brandy; 12 cup chopped hazelnuts; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 9 ounces none such condensed mincemeat, crumbled; 1 12 cups unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 12 cups sugar; 1 cup packed golden brown sugar; 8 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 12 teaspoon salt; 3 cups all-purpose flour; brandy; cheesecloth

23 ingredients

14 steps

Ingredients

1 (7 ounce) package marzipan
6 ounces chopped dried figs
1 cup chopped dried pear half
1 cup golden raisin
1 cup currants
1 cup chopped dried apricot
1 cup diced dates
1 cup chopped dried prune
12 cup brandy
12 cup chopped hazelnuts
1 cup chopped walnuts
9 ounces none such condensed mincemeat, crumbled
1 12 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
1 12 cups sugar
1 cup packed golden brown sugar
8 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
brandy
cheesecloth

Directions

1

2 DAYS before: Combine chopped dried figs, chopped dried pears, chopped dried apricots, chopped dried prunes, golden raisins, currants with brandy cover.
2

1 DAY before: Cut marzipan into 1/2 inch pieces place on plate in single layer, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze.
3

BAKING DAY: Generously spray 4 8 x 33/4 x 21/2 disposable loaf pans with pan spray Preheat oven to 325F.
4

Beat 1 1/2 cups butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until light.
5

Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg and salt.
6

Stir in flour in 4 additions.
7

Stir in dried fruit mixture and any soaking liquid from bowl, crumbled mincemeat, dates and nuts Gently stir in frozen marzipan pieces.
8

Evenly spoon batter among prepared pans.
9

Place pans on baking sheet.
10

Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
11

Cool cakes completely in pans on racks.
12

You'll need 4 sections of cheese cloth Dip cheesecloth in brandy wrap each cake, wrap that in aluminum foil and put the cakes some place to season.
13

Check it once a week to and re-soak cloth.
14

(the cloth if it has dried out) Allow to season at least 3 weeks.