Quick Fruitcake Loaf
This easy loaf is for all you procrastinating fruitcake lovers.
MAKES 12 TO 14 SERVINGS HANDS-ON TIME 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS
¾ cup halved red or green glacé cherries
½ cup each candied mixed peel, dried currants
and golden raisins
⅓ cup dried apricots, chopped (about 6)
½ cup brandy
⅔ cup butter, softened
½ cup each granulated sugar and
packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp each baking soda and salt
¼ tsp each ground allspice, ground cloves
and nutmeg
⅓ cup pecans, chopped
⅓ cup slivered almonds
⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
Brandy Glaze
1 cup icing sugar, sifted
7 tsp brandy (approx)
In microwaveable bowl, combine glacé cherries, mixed peel, currants, raisins, apricots and brandy. Microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir and repeat. Cover and let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Mist 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray; line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on longest sides.
In large bowl, using electric mixer, beat together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla.
In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves and nutmeg until combined. Stir into butter mixture.
Stir pecans, almonds and pistachios into fruit mixture; fold into butter mixture in 2 additions just until combined. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, about 1½ hours.
Brandy Glaze In small bowl, whisk icing sugar with brandy. Add additional brandy, ¼ tsp at a time, if needed, until consistency of molasses. Brush half over hot loaf; let cool completely in pan. Brush remaining glaze over cooled loaf.
PER EACH OF 14 SERVINGS about 397 cal, 5 g pro, 14 g total fat (6 g sat. fat), 59 g carb (3 g dietary fibre, 37 g sugar), 50 mg chol, 273 mg sodium, 198 mg potassium. % RDI: 8% calcium, 61% iron, 10% vit A, 10% vit C, 17% folate.