Ok I am one of those rare people that loves fruit cake and it just hit me that it would be great to carry in the BWCA. Has anyone done this and if so what suggestions do you have or good recipes.

My first reaction was "Wow, fruit cake is heavy". But then, I thought, "So are dried fruit and nuts, and we take those".

I just finished making a batch of our favorite fruit cake, so I'll give you my recipe and you could see what you think of it. It is heavy on dates and nuts, as you can see.

"Betty Smith's California Fruit Cake"

1 lb. candied red and green cherries
2 lbs. pitted dates
1 lb. shelled walnuts (I always use Georgia pecans instead)
1 lb. shelled raw brazil nuts
6 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 1/4 c. flour

Beat eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder and flour until smooth. Add fruit and nuts. Mix well. Put in well-greased pans with unglazed paper liner in bottom of pan. Cover pan with aluminum foil before putting in oven. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. Do NOT uncover or wrap until they have stood overnight. Then double-wrap tightly in plastic wrap to keep from drying out. Makes 5 one-pound cakes.

Or get the little foil pans and make 10 1/2 pound cakes.

This year I tried adding a few slices of candied pineapple, cut in pieces, and some macadamia nuts (couldn't find raw ones, so I used the roasted ones, but I did wash off the salt first) and I think those additions made it even better.

This slices thin quite nicely with a sharp knife. I would think a well-wrapped cake would travel OK, but must confess I never though of taking it on a canoe trip. You may have given me an new idea!

One of the best replies to a fruitcake thread ever posted:

"Shouldn't this be under the anchor thread in the gear section?" - thecanoeman

(reposted totally without his permission)

A friend of mine has a recipe for fruit cake cookies and she makes them for her BWCA trips.

Spartan 2,
Wow, that sounds great the only thing better would be if you made one for me and put it in the mail.
I am going to make one for my next trip. I think a little fruit cake soaked in whiskey by the fire with some coffee would be a great end to the a great day in the BWCA

Well, snakecharmer, I knew posting on this thread would bring out at least one fruitcake joke (and that is OK, I am used to it) but you have given me a good idea, Georgiaboy. Still. . . I don't think I am going to mail you a fruitcake! :-) Sorry.

Soaking it in whiskey doesn't sound half bad, either. Hmmmmm. . .

Spartan 2,
At least you gotta give me credit for trying :) We always soak ours in whiskey. It make them keep longer or at least that is the story I always heard.
Hey how about a bet. If my Georgia Bulldogs beat your MSU Spartans in the Capital One Bowl you send me a fruit cake. If we loose I send you homemade peanut brittle.

You're on! Go Green!

I can taste the fruit cake now. Go Dawgs!

How about one that DOESN'T have candied cherries? I can't stand them, but like the idea behind fruitcake. I know, wierd request....

Actually, I think you could use the basic recipe and substitute any fruit that you like. Some people like peel and citron in their fruitcake and I can't stand that, but I love the cherries and pineapple. Golden raisins would be a nice touch, but of course wouldn't add any color. I have thought about apricots, too, but haven't tried it.

Any candied fruit is just wrong IMHO.
Hey you people who curl..couldn't fruitcake be used as a stone?

I make a fruitcake every year for Christmas and it gets devoured every year.

I start in mid-October by soaking several cups of dried fruits (cherries, cranberries, raisins, apples, dates, apricots, peaches) in bourbon for a few days.

I then make a basic pound cake recipe and add the fruit, along with toasted pecans, crystallized ginger, and dried orange peel.

I then drizzle it with bourbon every couple of days until Christmas.

I like it with a bit of Mascarpone cheese spread on it.

i've taken fruit cake once in awhile..great with tea on a cool,wet day..i wait untill after Xmas when you can find them on sale..the dark ones that are not too loaded with huge hunks of candied fruit are best..

I personally like the citron. Generally I like fruit cake regardless of what fruit is in them. It is a done deal for me next year.

dzander...that sounds pretty great! Care to share your pound cake recipe?

Georgiaboy,

I need your mailing address so that I can send you a fruitcake.

Congratulation to your Georgia Bulldogs on a hard-fought win today in the Capital One Bowl.

Regards,
Spartan2

Spartan 2 first of all I have been slammed by work etc. and I am just now back on the board.
The real gift is that Spartan1 got a kidney God bless all of you and I wish him the best. Let's do a swap. I will get the peanut brittle made and I will look forward to the fruit cake.
I have to admit that we were lucky to beat the Spartans. The first half we were horrible. Been a tough year to be a Bulldog. Under achieving teams are tough to pull for. Your Spartans like Spartan one were a real inspiration this year.
my email is aguisasola@dawson.k12.ga.us email me and I will send you my address. Be sure to include yours.

Our prayer are with you and Spartan1

Tony