Free Range Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 1 cup golden raisin
• 1 cup currant
• 1/2 cup sun-dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup sun-dried blueberries
• 1/2 cup sun-dried cherries
• 1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped
• 1 lemon, zest of, coarsely chopped
• 1 orange, zest of, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup candied ginger, chopped
• 1 cup golden rum
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 ounces unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks)
• 1 cup apple juice, preferably unfiltered
• 4 whole cloves, ground
• 6 allspice berries, ground
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/4-1/2 cup pecans, toasted and broken
• brandy, for basting

Directions

1. 1

   Combine dried fruits, candied ginger and both zests. Add rum and macerate overnight, or microwave for 5 minutes to re-hydrate fruit.

2. 2

   Place fruit and liquid in a non-reactive pot with the sugar, butter, apple juice and spices. Bring mixture to a boil stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes.

3. 3

   (Batter can be completed up to this point, then covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before completing cake.) Heat oven to 325 degrees.

4. 4

   Combine dry ingredients and sift into fruit mixture. Quickly bring batter together with a large wooden spoon, then stir in eggs one at a time until completely integrated, then fold in nuts.

5. 5

   Spoon into a 10-inch non-stick loaf pan and bake for 1 hour.

6. 6

   Check for doneness by inserting toothpick into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done. If not, bake another 10 minutes, and check again.

7. 7

   Remove cake from oven and place on cooling rack or trivet. Baste or spritz top with brandy and allow to cool completely before turning out from pan.

8. 8

   When cake is completely cooled, seal in a tight sealing, food safe container. Every 2 to 3 days, feel the cake and if dry, spritz with brandy. The cake's flavor will enhance considerably over the next two weeks.