Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups dried fruit, such as raisins, cranberries, apricots, and dates, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup candied cherries
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and bourbon.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet until just blended.
- Fold in the dried fruit, pecans, and cherries. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Interesting Facts
- Fruitcakes are one of the oldest known cakes, dating back to the Roman Empire.
- Bourbon is a distilled spirit made from mostly corn and aged in oak barrels.
- Fruitcakes can last for years if stored properly in a cool, dry place.
