Coffee Fruit Cake Recipe

The Coffee Fruit Cake is a classic recipe that has been enjoyed for generations. Its rich and fruity flavors make it a perfect dessert for the holiday season or any special occasion. This cake is made with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes.

Fun Fact: The tradition of making fruit cakes can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where they were often placed in tombs as a way to provide food for the afterlife. Over time, this treat became associated with celebrations and festive occasions.

Now, let's dive into the Coffee Fruit Cake recipe:

Ingredients:
- 2 cups of shortening
- 2 cups of sugar
- 6 eggs
- 4 cups of seeded raisins
- 4 cups of currants
- 1 cup of shelled almonds
- 2 tablespoons of chopped orange peel
- 2 tablespoons of chopped lemon peel
- 2 cups of sliced citron
- 1 cup of grape juice
- 4 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons of Dr. Price's Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground mace
- 1/4 teaspoon of allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon of cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to a moderate temperature.

2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until well combined. This can be done with an electric mixer or by hand using a wooden spoon.

3. Add the beaten egg yolks to the creamed mixture and mix well.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the raisins and currants. Rinse them under cold water and pat them dry. Then, sift half a cup of flour over the dried fruit, coating them evenly.

5. Add the floured raisins and currants to the batter and mix until well distributed.

6. Blanch the almonds by placing them in boiling water for a few minutes. Remove them from the water and carefully remove the skins. Use a food chopper to finely chop the blanched almonds, along with the chopped orange and lemon peel.

7. Add the chopped almonds, orange peel, and lemon peel to the batter.

8. Slice the citron very finely and add it to the batter as well.

9. Stir in the grape juice and half of the stiffly beaten egg whites.

10. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, cloves, and salt.

11. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the batter and mix well to combine.

12. Fold in the remaining beaten egg whites until fully incorporated into the batter.

13. Grease two 12-inch loaf pans, then line them with four layers of brown paper. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.

14. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour.

15. After one hour, cover the cake pans with a double layer of brown paper. This will prevent the top of the cake from browning too quickly. Place asbestos plates underneath the pans for even heat distribution.

16. Continue baking the cakes for approximately two more hours. The total baking time should be around three hours, but it may vary slightly depending on your oven.

17. To check if the cakes are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached, the cakes are ready.

18. Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Fun Fact: Coffee Fruit Cake does not actually contain any coffee. The name comes from the tradition of serving fruit cake with a cup of coffee, as the flavors pair exceptionally well together.

Now that you've mastered the Coffee Fruit Cake recipe, here are some similar recipe dishes you might enjoy exploring:

1. Traditional Christmas Fruitcake: This cake is packed with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It is often soaked in rum or brandy to enhance the flavors.

2. German Stollen: Stollen is a rich, buttery bread filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It is typically enjoyed during the Christmas season in Germany.

3. British Dundee Cake: This classic Scottish fruitcake is made with currants, sultanas, and almonds, and is often topped with blanched whole almonds.

4. Italian Panettone: Panettone is a sweet bread filled with dried fruits, such as raisins and candied orange peel. It is traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season in Italy.

5. Jamaican Black Cake: This dense and flavorful cake is made with rum-soaked dried fruits and is a staple at weddings and special occasions in Jamaica.

These fruit-filled treats are perfect for sharing with friends and family or for indulging in a slice with a cup of coffee on a cozy afternoon. Enjoy the delicious flavors and the traditions that come with these delightful desserts!

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