It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
for the holidays.

On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>for the holidays.

You better be careful, I mentioned I was making mincemeat a couple of
weeks ago and Kuthe came out with a diatribe about China, Walmart,
mammon.

On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>for the holidays.

I made my first batch of fruitcake today. Will probably do the other
batch over the weekend. It should be good by Christmas. I make it
before Thanksgiving since the boys usually come down for Thanksgiving
and would take them home with them. This year they will be here at
Christmas so they can get them then. I'm not mailing them since I
have 4 others that have to be mailed.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

On 2015-11-10 17:56, wrote:
>
>> It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>> it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>> to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>> for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>> morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>> while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>> It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>> for the holidays.
>
> You better be careful, I mentioned I was making mincemeat a couple of
> weeks ago and Kuthe came out with a diatribe about China, Walmart,
> mammon.
>


Unless someone replies to it and quotes it I won't be seeing it, and
most of those who reply to him are in the Bozo box with him.

On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 4:43:57 PM UTC-6, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
> it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
> to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
> for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
> morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
> while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
> It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
> for the holidays.
>
>
I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
strong alcohol taste.

> wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
> > wrote:
>
>>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>>for the holidays.
>
> You better be careful, I mentioned I was making mincemeat a couple of
> weeks ago and Kuthe came out with a diatribe about China, Walmart,
> mammon.

It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to me,
'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 5:14:02 AM UTC-5, Ophelia wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
> >>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
> >>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
> >>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
> >>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
> >>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
> >>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
> >>for the holidays.
> >
> > You better be careful, I mentioned I was making mincemeat a couple of
> > weeks ago and Kuthe came out with a diatribe about China, Walmart,
> > mammon.
>
> It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
> fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to me,
> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )

That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
something similar):

<http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>

Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.

I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
even though they're quite tasty.

Cindy Hamilton

On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 21:40:00 -0800 (PST), "
> wrote:

>On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 4:43:57 PM UTC-6, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>> it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>> to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>> for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>> morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>> while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>> It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>> for the holidays.
>>
>>
>I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
>just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
>strong alcohol taste.

If they are dark fruit cake, they should not be in suspended animation
in the freezer. They have to be at room temperature to 'mature'.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:13:40 -0000, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>
>
> wrote in message
.. .
>> On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>>>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>>>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>>>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>>>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>>>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>>>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>>>for the holidays.
>>
>> You better be careful, I mentioned I was making mincemeat a couple of
>> weeks ago and Kuthe came out with a diatribe about China, Walmart,
>> mammon.
>
>It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
>fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to me,
>'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )

I don't make one anymore, mostly because I could easily eat it all
myself! Every year I make a catnip mouse and give it to a man at
bridge for his mother and she sends me a little mini dark fruit cake.
Maybe a two serving size. She doesn't use alcohol so I feed it some
rum and leave it a couple of days

Soak it with port wine.

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>
> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
> even though they're quite tasty.

I actually like the darn things. Good for a late night snack. No one I
know makes them anymore to send so I just buy a tiny one at the
grocery store each year. No booze in it.

wrote:
>
> I don't make one anymore, mostly because I could easily eat it all
> myself!

I could see myself doing the same.

> Every year I make a catnip mouse and give it to a man at
> bridge for his mother

Ummmmm....WHAT? His mother likes catnip mice? She must be a "cougar."
;-D

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 07:56:57 -0500, Gary > wrote:

>Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>> even though they're quite tasty.
>
>I actually like the darn things. Good for a late night snack. No one I
>know makes them anymore to send so I just buy a tiny one at the
>grocery store each year. No booze in it.

When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 08:02:01 -0500, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> I don't make one anymore, mostly because I could easily eat it all
>> myself!
>
>I could see myself doing the same.
>
>> Every year I make a catnip mouse and give it to a man at
>> bridge for his mother
>
>Ummmmm....WHAT? His mother likes catnip mice? She must be a "cougar."
>;-D

Picky! I grow my own catnip and one year made nearly 200 for a fund
raiser for the local no kill shelter. He bought one for his mothers
cat, she maintained it was a waste of time, however when the mouse was
produced, this one he liked. So it's his yearly treat.

I invented my own knitting pattern for the mouse, a good knitter can
produce one in an hour or so and they look good.

"Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
...


>> It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
>> fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to
>> me,
>> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
>
> That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
> something similar):
>
> <http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>
>
> Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
> know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.

Oh dear. I guess that devalues them and now I understand his comment.

> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
> even though they're quite tasty.

But why do posters here make ones to give away if no one really appreciates
them? I (and friends that I know about) make them for themselves and their
family

I don't make them any more because we don't eat them now, but I used to make
Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings every three years. Full of alcohol
they store really well and are much better for it Always better the second
and third year <g>


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

> wrote in message
...

>>It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
>>fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to me,
>>'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
>
> I don't make one anymore, mostly because I could easily eat it all
> myself! Every year I make a catnip mouse and give it to a man at
> bridge for his mother and she sends me a little mini dark fruit cake.
> Maybe a two serving size. She doesn't use alcohol so I feed it some
> rum and leave it a couple of days

Clever girl

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>> even though they're quite tasty.
>
> I actually like the darn things. Good for a late night snack. No one I
> know makes them anymore to send so I just buy a tiny one at the
> grocery store each year. No booze in it.

Buy a few, feed them with rum, wrap very well and store them in the back of
your pantry.

You will thank me in years to come.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 8:45:38 AM UTC-5, Ophelia wrote:
> "Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>
> >> It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started making
> >> fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to
> >> me,
> >> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
> >
> > That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
> > something similar):
> >
> > <http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>
> >
> > Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
> > know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.
>
> Oh dear. I guess that devalues them and now I understand his comment.
>
> > I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
> > haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
> > joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
> > even though they're quite tasty.
>
> But why do posters here make ones to give away if no one really appreciates
> them? I (and friends that I know about) make them for themselves and their
> family

Perhaps the friends and family of the fruitcake makers who post
here are more savvy than my friends and family.

Cindy Hamilton

" wrote:
>
> I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
> just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
> strong alcohol taste.

Never made one so I'm talking from NO experience here. If you don't
want the alcohol taste, you could just simmer the booze for a bit to
eliminate most of the alcohol.

I plan to experiment soon with finding a good honey/bourbon bbq sauce.
I may or may not want to eliminate the alcohol content. I bought a
pint of the bourbon about a month ago but still haven't started the
experiments.

wrote:
>
> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.

Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.

On 2015-11-11 12:40 AM, wrote:
> On Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 4:43:57 PM UTC-6, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>> it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>> to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>> for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>> morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>> while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>> It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>> for the holidays.
>>
>>
> I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
> just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
> strong alcohol taste.
>


I use Brandy. The alcohol is part of what makes them special.

"Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
...
> On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 8:45:38 AM UTC-5, Ophelia wrote:
>> "Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>
>> >> It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started
>> >> making
>> >> fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to
>> >> me,
>> >> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
>> >
>> > That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
>> > something similar):
>> >
>> > <http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>
>> >
>> > Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
>> > know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.
>>
>> Oh dear. I guess that devalues them and now I understand his comment.
>>
>> > I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>> > haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>> > joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>> > even though they're quite tasty.
>>
>> But why do posters here make ones to give away if no one really
>> appreciates
>> them? I (and friends that I know about) make them for themselves and
>> their
>> family
>
> Perhaps the friends and family of the fruitcake makers who post
> here are more savvy than my friends and family.

I do hope so. It seems such a waste of effort and good food.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On 2015-11-11 6:52 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
>
> That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
> something similar):
>
> <http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>
>
> Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
> know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.

Those things explain why so many people dislike fruitcake. Even the best
ones aren't very good. They may look a bit like home made but they
don't taste like it.





> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
> even though they're quite tasty.

I have a few friends and family members who express a great interest in
mine. They would be disappointed not to get some. I don't bother giving
it to people unless I know they like fruitcake.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
>> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>
>Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
>Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.

If you're a beer drinker, a nice stout would be excellent.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 5:53:21 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>
> On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 21:40:00 -0800 (PST), "
> > wrote:
>
> >I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
> >just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
> >strong alcohol taste.
>
> If they are dark fruit cake, they should not be in suspended animation
> in the freezer. They have to be at room temperature to 'mature'.
>
>
No, these are 'white' fruitcakes. I don't care for the dark
ones as they are just too heavy on the spices for me.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 6:56:22 AM UTC-6, wrote:
>
> Soak it with port wine.
>
>
I've never had one with port wine so I don't know
how it would turn out.

On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 8:47:06 AM UTC-6, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> On 2015-11-11 12:40 AM, wrote:
> >>
> > I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
> > just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
> > strong alcohol taste.
> >
>
>
> I use Brandy. The alcohol is part of what makes them special.
>
>
I don't mind the alcohol but I have had some fruitcakes that
I was afraid to go near an open flame after consuming. Either
the cakes were 'overfed' or not allowed to mature after
receiving their booze.

wrote:
>
> On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
> >> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
> >
> >Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
> >Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.
>
> If you're a beer drinker, a nice stout would be excellent.

I do drink beer occasionally but pouring some on a fruitcake sounds
very wrong to me. I still think the apple brandy thing sounds good.
You?

:-D

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:46:02 -0500, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
>> >> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>> >
>> >Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
>> >Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.
>>
>> If you're a beer drinker, a nice stout would be excellent.
>
>I do drink beer occasionally but pouring some on a fruitcake sounds
>very wrong to me. I still think the apple brandy thing sounds good.
>You?
>
>:-D

Yes, I would agree with that. Never had it, but assume it has a nice
apple flavour to it which would go well with dark fruit cake.

On Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:43:53 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>It's that time of year. It is a really crappy fall day here. That makes
>it a good day to spend in the kitchen. It is also the time that we have
>to start working on Christmas fruitcakes. We picked up the ingredients
>for ours on the weekend. I made two batches today. I started one this
>morning and it was done in time for me to get out to the gym for a
>while. I came home, mixed up the second batch and got it into the oven.
>It should be cooked soon. That gives it about 6 weeks to set up in time
>for the holidays.

Has anybody tried one of these:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/9319/white-fruit-cake/


I tried some one time and it was much better than ordinary fruit
cakes.

William

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
>> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>
>Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
>Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.

I'm for the apple brandy.
Janet US

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:45:08 -0000, "Ophelia" >
wrote:


snip
>
>I don't make them any more because we don't eat them now, but I used to make
>Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings every three years. Full of alcohol
>they store really well and are much better for it Always better the second
>and third year <g>

I used to make fruitcake and give them Then all the jokes about
fruitcake started going the rounds, so I stopped. Then I made stollen
and wasn't sure about their reception. I no longer make stollen. If
I were to bake for us, I would start springerle and lebkuchen now and
keep it all. I just don't bake sweets anymore (2009 was the last
year) as we don't need the sugar or calories.
Janet US

Gary wrote:
>Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>
>> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>> even though they're quite tasty.
>
>I actually like the darn things. Good for a late night snack. No one I
>know makes them anymore to send so I just buy a tiny one at the
>grocery store each year. No booze in it.

I much prefer just plain dried fruit, all kinds, I eat them out of
hand and I like compote. Commercial fruit cake doesn't contain much
actual fruit if any, typically just artificially colored citron.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
>> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>
>Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
>Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.

Brandy is booze, it'll work... wine works too.

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:50:44 -0000, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>
>
>"Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
...
>> On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 8:45:38 AM UTC-5, Ophelia wrote:
>>> "Cindy Hamilton" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>
>>>
>>> >> It always makes me smile when I read here that people have started
>>> >> making
>>> >> fruitcakes. Many years ago I was making mine, and an American said to
>>> >> me,
>>> >> 'Do you all make these and give them to each other?' )
>>> >
>>> > That is funny. Most Americans' experience with fruitcake is this (or
>>> > something similar):
>>> >
>>> > <http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Cake-Boxed-Claxton-Fruitcake/dp/B000YGMK1W/ref=pd_bxgy_325_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=152DFBXMGF7VK BRBWZ6K>
>>> >
>>> > Those crummy things are often purchased as gifts for people one doesn't
>>> > know very well, or as hostess gifts when visiting at the holidays.
>>>
>>> Oh dear. I guess that devalues them and now I understand his comment.
>>>
>>> > I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>>> > haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>>> > joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>>> > even though they're quite tasty.
>>>
>>> But why do posters here make ones to give away if no one really
>>> appreciates
>>> them? I (and friends that I know about) make them for themselves and
>>> their
>>> family
>>
>> Perhaps the friends and family of the fruitcake makers who post
>> here are more savvy than my friends and family.
>
>I do hope so. It seems such a waste of effort and good food.

I've made excellent fruit cake using only dried figs. I also really
love a good date nut loaf. My mom used to bake them in saved coffee
cans... cut bottom lid and push out, round slices with cream cheese,
can't stop eating.

"Janet B" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:45:08 -0000, "Ophelia" >
> wrote:
>
>
> snip
>>
>>I don't make them any more because we don't eat them now, but I used to
>>make
>>Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings every three years. Full of alcohol
>>they store really well and are much better for it Always better the
>>second
>>and third year <g>
>
> I used to make fruitcake and give them Then all the jokes about
> fruitcake started going the rounds, so I stopped. Then I made stollen
> and wasn't sure about their reception. I no longer make stollen. If
> I were to bake for us, I would start springerle and lebkuchen now and
> keep it all. I just don't bake sweets anymore (2009 was the last
> year) as we don't need the sugar or calories.

Yes, same here!


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:23:18 -0500, Gary > wrote:

" wrote:
>>
>> I have 4 or 5 in the freezer and they should be soaked,
>> just not sure what to soak them in. I don't want a
>> strong alcohol taste.
>
>Never made one so I'm talking from NO experience here. If you don't
>want the alcohol taste, you could just simmer the booze for a bit to
>eliminate most of the alcohol.
>
>I plan to experiment soon with finding a good honey/bourbon bbq sauce.
>I may or may not want to eliminate the alcohol content. I bought a
>pint of the bourbon about a month ago but still haven't started the
>experiments.

They sell rum flavoring... a few drops in apple juice works.

On 11/11/2015 6:23 AM, wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 07:56:57 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
>> Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>>
>>> I favor light fruitcake made with dried rather than candied fruit. I
>>> haven't made any in more than a decade. Since fruitcake is such a
>>> joke around here, I have a hard time getting people to take them,
>>> even though they're quite tasty.
>>
>> I actually like the darn things. Good for a late night snack. No one I
>> know makes them anymore to send so I just buy a tiny one at the
>> grocery store each year. No booze in it.
>
> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>

When I used to make xmas cakes (too calorific these days) I used these
to inject Grand Marnier or Cognac into them:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...at=1,110,42967
Graham

--
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play.
It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness,
disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in
witnessing violence." George Orwell

On 11/11/2015 8:13 AM, wrote:
> On Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:32:23 -0500, Gary > wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> When you get it home, pierce with a skewer or toothpick and sprinkle
>>> booze of your choice over it, wait a couple of days.
>>
>> Problem is: I have NO booze of choice. I never drink any hard liquor.
>> Would maybe an apple brandy work? That sounds doable.
>
> If you're a beer drinker, a nice stout would be excellent.
>
For fruit cakes, I soaked the fruit in sherry. For xmas puddings I used
Guiness.
Graham

--
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play.
It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness,
disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in
witnessing violence." George Orwell

On 11/11/2015 9:50 AM, Janet B wrote:

>
> I used to make fruitcake and give them Then all the jokes about
> fruitcake started going the rounds, so I stopped. Then I made stollen
> and wasn't sure about their reception. I no longer make stollen. If
> I were to bake for us, I would start springerle and lebkuchen now and
> keep it all. I just don't bake sweets anymore (2009 was the last
> year) as we don't need the sugar or calories.
> Janet US
>
Ditto!
Graham

--
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play.
It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness,
disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in
witnessing violence." George Orwell