24 Days of Christmas Recipes - Day 9.5

Ok Kids,

I meant to include this other recipe I saw on the Fabulous Beekman Boys last night (on Planet Green). I greatly enjoy their farm antics and they're just hilarious! Last night they had a recap episode of their first season, and holiday special. Below is a recipe they highlighted of a fruit cake, that is literally soaked in booze... I'm actually intrigued and kind of want to try it! It look fairly easy too!

Most fruitcakes are heavy with lots of strangely colored dried fruits. This fruitcake has only fruit that we really like.  It can be adapted to include (or exclude) whatever fruits you like. Makes two 1 ½  lb fruitcakes.
Ingredients

1 ¼  cups	chopped dried Calimyrna figs	(about 6 oz)
4 ½  cups	chopped dried fruits, best quality, organic / local wherever possible. Here’s what we like:	½  cup     dates 1  cup       candied pineapple 1  cup       dried apricots ½  cup      dried cherries ½  cup      dark raisins 1  cup       golden raisins
½  cup	light rum
1 ½  cups	unsalted butter, room temperature	(3 sticks)
1 ½  cups	white sugar
1  cup	packed brown sugar
8	large eggs
1 tbsp	pure vanilla extract
1  tsp	baking soda
½  tsp	salt
3  cups	all purpose flour
1 ½  cups	pecans, toasted

Instructions
The day before

• Chop the dried fruits in good-sized pieces.
• Combine dried figs, mixed fruits, golden raisins, and rum in large bowl.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight, stirring occasionally.

Make the cake

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Butter baking pans or forms.
• Beat 1 1/2 cups butter, sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until light.
• Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then vanilla, baking soda and salt.
• Stir in flour in 4 additions.
• Stir in pecans, dried fruit mixture and any soaking liquid from bowl.

Bake the cake

• Divide batter among prepared pans. Place pans on baking sheet and place on center rack of oven.
• Bake until tester inserted into center of cakes comes out clean, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Finishing

• Cool cakes completely in pans on racks.
• Wrap in plastic or aluminum foil.
• Let stand at least 1 day and up to 3 days at room temperature.
• Wrap in cheesecloth, and if you wish, baste with liqueur of your choice.

Storage & Serving

• Store several weeks at room temperature or months in a refrigerator
• Serve at room temperature
• If the cake becomes dry, use a pastry brush to brush the outside of the cake with brandy

If this all sounds too-complicated given all the other things you have to do during the holidays, let us do the work.   The Beekman 1802 Generous Fruitcake is available every year from Nov 1 – Jan 1.  Click here for more details.
To see Josh put this recipe all together, click here