Fruitcake Bars

Name: Fruitcake Bars
Ingredients: 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box spice cake mix; 12 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 14 teaspoon ground ginger; 14 teaspoon ground allspice; 18 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon orange zest; 2 eggs; 1 egg yolk; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 12 cup canola oil; 12 cup dates, chopped; 14 cup golden raisin; 14 cup raisins; 12 cup dried apricot, chopped; 12 cup dried cherries, chopped coarsely; 34 cup walnuts or 34 cup pecans, chopped; 13 cup Bourbon or 13 cup golden rum; 14 cup dry sherry; 2 tablespoons triple sec; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 -3 tablespoons orange juice

22 ingredients

14 steps

Ingredients

1 (18 1/4 ounce) box spice cake mix
12 teaspoon ground cinnamon
14 teaspoon ground ginger
14 teaspoon ground allspice
18 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 cup canola oil
12 cup dates, chopped
14 cup golden raisin
14 cup raisins
12 cup dried apricot, chopped
12 cup dried cherries, chopped coarsely
34 cup walnuts or 34 cup pecans, chopped
13 cup Bourbon or 13 cup golden rum
14 cup dry sherry
2 tablespoons triple sec
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 -3 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

1

Combine dried fruits in a bowl and pour the bourbon, triple sec and sherry over the fruit.
2

Let the fruit macerate for about 4 hours (or longer), stirring every 30-60 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
3

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4

Spray a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
5

Combine cake mix and spices, then add the eggs, egg yolk, oil, honey, orange zest and vanilla extract until everything is mostly combined.
6

Mixture may be looking like there isn't enough liquid, but don't be concerned just yet.
7

Add nuts and soaked fruit, including any remaining liquid (probably 1-2 Tbs.).
8

Stir to thoroughly incorporate the fruit and nuts evenly and to make sure that there are no dry spots in the mixture.
9

Pour into prepared pan and spread it evenly in the pan.
10

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden on top and the edges are just coming away from the pan.
11

A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when done.
12

Cool completely in the pan.
13

Mix together confectioners sugar and enough orange juice to make a glaze suitable for drizzling over the cooled bars in the pan.
14

Allow the glaze to set and harden for a few minutes, then cut into bars.