Dark Fruitcake

 

I've always been curious by fruit cake.  Why is there booze in this?  Must be to make me want to eat the fruit cake, otherwise, I don't see me trying to eat it otherwise.

Ingredients

2 lbs seedless raisins

1 lb seeded raisins

1 lb currants

1 lb mixed peel

1 lb mixed fruit

½ lb candied cherries halved

1 cup candied pineapple chopped

½ - 1 cup rum or brandy

½ - 1 cup wine

1 lb margarine

3 cups brown sugar

8 large or 10 medium eggs

2 cups flour + 1 cup of flour

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp allspice

1 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

4 tsp baking powder

½ cup molasses

½ cup strawberry jam

Directions

Put fruit in a large bowl and add liquor. Let stand over night, stirring occasionally. 

Dredge with 1 cup of flour. 

Cream sugar and margarine. 

Add eggs and beat until light. 

Stir in molasses and jam. 

Add dry ingredients. Mix well. 

Add floured fruit mixture. 

Bake at 325º for 4 hours. Put pans on heavy cookie sheet in oven to prevent the bottoms from burning. 

Place a dish of water in oven during baking to keep the cakes moist. 

The cup of flour for dredging is over and above the 2 cups that is in the batter.