My Non Fruitcake Fruitcake Recipes

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE

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.

MY "NON-FRUITCAKE" FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a very large bowl mix the batter posted here or quick bread mixes according to package directions. If using my quick bread recipe, I use oil and mix wet ingredients. Mix wet ingredients and stir wet into dry gently.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into greased and floured (lightly floured) tube pan. You could also use baking paper to line, I don't.
• Baking time will vary quite a bit but is long; 1 1/2 to 2 hours plus. Is done when a knife inserted comes out just clean.
• Cool on wire rack and turn out when barely warm. I also cool mine upside down on top of a bottle if I have a bottle that fits!
• As you can see, there is more stuff than batter and turns out lively and fresh tasting. I prefer the cranberry bread mix. You can also use a double recipe of your own quick bread recipe which yields enough batter for 2 loaves. The cranberry adds a zippier flavor!
• Serve in fairly thin slices. I have never counted the slices as with any fruitcake some will break apart a bit. So I am using my best guess here!
• This freezes extremely well. My mother freezes much of her share by slicing, wrapping in foil or wax paper and placing each slice into a plastic sandwich bag. Thaw at room temperature. You can also cut the cake into portions (ie 4-6.
• large pieces) and freeze this way. Makes a great breakfast as well!

GRANMAMA'S UNCOOKED (NO BAKE, NO COOK) FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs.
• Granmama's recipe calls for "puffed" raisins. To puff them, soak in hot water for 30 minutes.
• Chop the nuts; drain and cut cherries in half (if they are whole).
• Melt marshmallows in milk.
• Mix all ingredients together.
• Pack into regular sized loaf pan.
• Refrigerated overnight and cut with a hot knife.
• Coconut is an optional ingredient.
• Cook time is refrigeration time.

NO-CANDIED-FRUIT FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add pecans, cherries, pineapple and dates; toss to coat. Beat eggs and orange juice; add to fruit mixture and mix well. Line two 9x5-in. loaf pans with foil and grease the foil. Pour fruit mixture into pans and press down. Bake at 300° for 1-3/4 to 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans. Remove foil. Brush with corn syrup; cool completely.

NO-BAKE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Line a 9x5-in. loaf pan with waxed paper; coat the paper with cooking spray; set aside. In a saucepan, combine milk and orange juice concentrate. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in remaining ingredients; mix well. Pat into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.