California Fig Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 2 cups california dried figs, chopped
• 1/2 cup golden raisin
• 1/2 cup dates, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried pears, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped
• 1/4 cup sherry wine
• 1/2 cup apricot nectar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 tablespoon lemon extract
• 3 cups pecans, chopped & lightly toasted

Directions

1. 1

   Combine figs, raisins, dates, pears & pineapple in a large bowl with the sherry. Marinate overnight at room temp covered with plastic wrap.

2. 2

   The next day, simmer apricots in nectar 10 minutes & then cool. Drain marinated fruits (save sherry!) & add apricots after draining (add nectar to drained sherry).

3. 3

   Grease & line bottom of 5 baby loaf pans (5 5/8 x 3 1/4 x 1 7/8 inch) with brown paper (grease again after laying paper in pans). I have used a 12 cup bundt pan with good results - increasing cooking time by 30 minutes & then checking with toothpick.

4. 4

   Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder & cinnamon.

5. 5

   In a large mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add Lemon extract or zest & vanilla & mix. Add flour, baking powder & cinnamon to wet ingredients & mix lightly to make batter.

6. 6

   Using remaining 1/4 cups of flour to dredge fruits & nuts in a separate bowl.

7. 7

   Add fruit & nuts to batter & blend well.

8. 8

   Pour into prepared pans & place in COLD oven on middle rack. Put a pan of cold water in bottom of oven & turn oven on to 250 degrees F.

9. 9

   Bake 2 hours until golden & tester comes out clean. Cool cakes on wire rack. Remove brown paper while still warm.

10. 10

    Wrap each fruitcake in cheesecloth moistened with sherry/nectar & then in heavy weight aluminum foil.

11. 11

    Refrigerate 2 to 4 weeks, moistening with sherry when cheesecloth seems to be getting dry.

12. 12

    For gift-giving, overwrap with red cellophane & top with a bow.