Review: Free Range Fruitcake (from Alton Brown)

[rosen]

After 2 weeks of smelling/drooling over this cake every other day when it needed to be spritzed w/ the brandy, we cut into it this afternoon.

OMG !!!!

This is NOT a typical fruitcake. No! It must be re-named "The Cake of Fruit". It is like a dark spice cake filled w/ delicious dried fruits & nuts. Not as tender in texture as a regular spice cake, but not dense like a traditional fruitcake. This could convert anyone who won't touch the "other". You could taste the spices, the blueberries, the cherries, the currants, etc....there is not a candied green or red cherry in THIS recipe! Very rich, but not sickenly so. Lite enough to eat an entire slice & think about getting another. Rich enough to know you're better off saving the second slice for later. A cake that will be comfort food for the winter. I can ask, "Would you like to drop by for tea & cake?" & know that my friends & family will be impressed. Trust me that you won't be thinking that you are trying to eat up the Christmas leftovers.

I will be making another one since I have enough ingredients. It is going to be so great to share this cake w/ friends & family.

[britneyelise]

Bumping this up to ask a question: how long are most people letting this (free range fruit cake is the one I made, but any fruitcake maker, please answer ;) ) get spritzed or basted with brandy/rum in the fridge before you try a piece? I have never made fruit cake before, so this is a test of my will. Also, generally how long do homemade fruit cakes keep, especially this Alton Brown one if you have made it. I did a search, but did not come up with much.


Thanks again,
Shannon:D

[LonghornGal]

I made it... I think I may have overdone the alcohol bit though... I wasn't spritzing, I was pouring. :D (that's what happens when you watch Emeril make a fruitcake) :rolleyes: I tried a piece and didn't care for it - the fumes were overwhelming... so I dumped out the excess booze and am letting them dry out a bit before retrying.

I'll sample a bit tonight and see if it's any better. But it's not Alton's fault - it's mine! :)

When serving, are you guys dusting with powdered sugar or anything? Or are you just cutting and eating?

--Kristin

[Kayaksoup]

Okay, loved this.
Not a big fruitcake fan, but this was delicious and moist and incredible. Spritzed with Grand Marnier.