Recipe For Apple Spice Fruitcake

Apple Spiced Fruitcake

25 percent of an apple's volume is air. That is why they float.

Ingredients

.....1 (8 ounce) package chopped mixed dried fruit
.....1 (6 ounce) package chopped dried apples
.....1/4 cup brandy
.....1/2 cup water
.....2 1/4 cups sugar
.....3/4 cup golden raisins
.....3/4 cup dark raisins
.....3/4 cup butter, room temperature
.....3 large eggs
.....1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
.....1 (14 ounce) jar applesauce
.....3 cups all purpose flour
.....1/4 teaspoon salt
.....3/4 teaspoon baking soda
.....3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
.....1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
.....1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
.....1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Preparation

In a pan, combine mixed dried fruit, apples, the 1/4 cup brandy, water, and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Bring to a boil; then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed (about 10 minutes). Add raisins, set aside.

In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and remaining 2 cups of sugar until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in lemon peel and applesauce. In another bowl, stir together 2 1/2 cups of the flour, salt, baking soda, cloves, baking powder, and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture. Combine dried fruit mixture, walnuts, and reamining 1/2 cup flour. Add to batter and stir to blend.

Spoon batter into 2 greased, flour dusted 5 x 9 inch loaf pans, or 4 greased four dusted 3 3/8 x 7 3/8 inch loaf pans. Bake in a 325 degree oven until a wooden pick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean (about 1 3/4 hours for large loaves, and 1 hour for small loves).

Let cool in pans on racks. If desired, spoon 2 tablespoons brandy over each cake (1 tablespoon over each small cake) while cakes are still warm. To store, turn out of pans; wrap airtight and refrigerate or freeze.

Makes 2 large or 4 small loaves.