Posted on 12/20/2008 4:26:41 PM PST by JoeProBono
Its the season to be jolly and we bring you the finest fruit cake recipe that will have you licking the last crumbs off the plate
Brandy or blackberry cordial works equally well, in my mind, better.
Marzipan is also called Almond Paste.
Is you do not have access to Odense almond paste, you may have to make your own. This is a time-consuming but satisfying process. Marzipan can be made weeks in advance and stored in airtight container for later use.
How to make marzipan:
1 pound sifted icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar)
1lb ground almonds
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond essence (optional)
1 tsp lemon juice
Prepare almonds for grinding by blanching to remove husks. Let dry on cookie sheets covered in paper towels for 15 minutes or so. Use food processor, coffee grinder, hand grinder or mixer grinder attachment to grind almonds.
Beat egg whites until lightly frothy. Add vanilla, almond essence and lemon juice. In large mixing bowl, blend sugar and almond meal well. Knead in egg white mixture until well blended and consistent in texture. If too sticky after kneading for several minutes, add more confectioner’s sugar.
When rolling marzipan, use confectioners sugar to “flour” board and rolling pin.
Nope. Sorry. The best is my family recipe which has been around for a LOOOONNNNNGGGGGGG time and appeared in the Joy of Cooking. Just leave out the citron and be generous with the brandy when incubating. I don’t know how the Joy of Cooking got it, but the dough is exactly the same.
Thanks for the recipe. I’m going to try it, but I don’t expect it to last longer than a few days. I love that stuff.
I think there was just a “rule of thumb” for fruit cake that have been used for centuries...
1 pound flour, 1 pound sugar, 1 pound butter, 6 pounds of fruit, and 9 eggs for rich fruit cake. More eggs make the cake lighter. spice as available.
So most recipes are based on that.
Me neither. If you go by all of the anti-fruit cake sentiments that you see in prind media you’d think that NOBODY liked fruitcake.I really like the Claxton fruitcake that you can get in the grocery store. One of these days I will make one myself. I’m trying my first homemade mince pie this year. Hope it turns out well. It takes a lot of ingredients and time.
Manitou Springs, Colorado takes part in the Great Fruitcake Toss.
Bookmarked to read later.
Is it too late to order one for Christmas?
Proportionately, that’s equivalent. :)
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