Fruit Cake?

landhoney · 12-15-2010, 03:24 PM

I doubt anyone likes fruit cake (myself included), but hearing about how people age these got me interested. A couple articles I read indicated that proper storage and continued applications of high octane booze would not only preserve these for years, but that they would indeed become much better as time passed.

I really enjoy 'aging' things.

I found Alton Brown's recipe, and it seemed like the reviews were pretty good across the board, even among people who thought they did not like fruit cake.

I made his recipe last night, in a mini-bundt cake pan which yielded 6 small cakes. Once cooled I aplied the following spirits:

1 Cake: Cointreau
1 Cake: Tawny Port
1 Cake: Meyers Dark Rum and Gold Rum (from PR)
1 Cake: Makers Mark Bourbon
2 Cakes: Hennesey Reserve Cognac

My plan is to age them one year, sampling one every couple months (although obviously I will not be able to have each at one year of age) in the order listed top to bottom. They are wrapped in each spirit soaked paper, and then in double layer of plastic wrap and stored in the fridge.

If the first one sampled is good, I'll post the recipe (or you can do a search).

Anyone else actually like fruit cake? Good recipe? Ever had an aged one?

SvilleKid · 12-15-2010, 03:37 PM

I actually love fruit cakes. Our best friends both like them also. The Claxtons this year were actually the freshest I think I've ever seen from them.

But, even better than the store brought ones are the ones my mother makes! Her recipe, like Alton Brown's, contains fresh nuts and dried fruits, and beats the heck out of things with the "colored" fruits!

Smokin Gator · 12-15-2010, 03:40 PM

Seth... I think I am the odd man out... I actually like fruit cake. Somewhere we have one around here that is VERY aged. It goes in a Lenox train table center piece and has never been cut. It has to be at least 10 years old. I can't imagine it is any good, but I would be glad to send it to you as I know how much you enjoy "aged" stuff

captain53 · 12-15-2010, 06:42 PM

I luv good moist fruit cakes, my Mom used to make fabulous ones but not sure it was in the recipe collection left for me. Also though she made orange fruit cakes which I do have the recipe for and they are great too. Usually make one of those every year at Christmas.

landhoney · 12-16-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

It has to be at least 10 years old. I can't imagine it is any good, but I would be glad to send it to you as I know how much you enjoy "aged" stuff

I enjoy properly aged stuff.

And just to clarify, I imagine, just like a lot of people I have never had a well made fruit cake, and thus only think that I do not like them. The batter tasted good and I ate a couple crumbs that fell off and all tatsed very good, so we'll see.

Often making something yourself gives you a greater appreciation for that item.

sobranie10 · 12-16-2010, 09:28 AM

I have a friend that makes fruit cake every year wraps it in cheese cloth soaks it in bourbon seals it air tight and stores it in the bottom of a old well for a year what a treat each year I can hardly wait this time of year.

landhoney · 12-16-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sobranie10

I have a friend that makes fruit cake every year wraps it in cheese cloth soaks it in bourbon seals it air tight and stores it in the bottom of a old well for a year what a treat each year I can hardly wait this time of year.