Dark Christmas Cake

== Description ==
* Makes 15 lbs of fruit cake.
== Ingredients ==
* 1 lbs blanched almonds
* 3 lbs seedless raisins
* 2 lbs currants
* 1 lbs candied cherries cut in half
* 1 lbs dried figs, chopped
* 1 lbs dates, cut up
* 1½ lbs chopped mixed candied peel
* 1 lbs candied pineapple, cut up
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 3 cup soft butter
* 3 cup brown sugar, packed
* 12 large egg yolks
* 5½ cup sifted all-purpose flour
* 1 tsp salt
* 2 tsp cinnamon
* 2 tsp mace
* 2 tsp allspice
* 2 tsp nutmeg
* 1 tsp cloves
* 3 tsp baking soda
* ¾ cup prune juice
* ¼ cup brandy
* 12 large egg whites
== Directions ==
# This recipe makes a very large amount (about 28 cups) of fruit cake batter and can be baked in a number of different sizes of pan.
# If you want to make several small cakes for gifts you can divide the batter among 9 8x4x3 inch loaf pans using a generous 3 cups of batter for each.
# Or if you wish to use larger loaf pans you can put the batter in 6 9x5x3 inch pans using a generous 4 ½ cups batter in each.
# Bundt pans make attractive cakes and this amount of batter is enough for 3 12 cup bundt pans using a generous 9 cups of batter in each.
# If you use 10-inch tube pans you can make 2 cakes using 12 cups of batter for each and an 8x4x2 ½ inch loaf pan with the remaining batter.
# Of course you can also use any combination of these sizes.
# For example, you can make a large cake in a bundt pan, two 9x5x3-in loaves and three 8x4x3-inch loaves.
# If you wish you can prepare half the batter and bake it in three 9x5x3-inch loaf pans or in one 12-cup bundt pan and one 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
# Line greased pans with greased heavy brown paper, except for the bundt pan which should be greased and floured.
# Combine nuts and fruit in a very large bowl or roasting pan.
# Add 1 cup of flour and toss by hand to coat fruit with flour.
# Cream butter well (you can use your electric mixer for this part of the recipe).
# Add Sugar and beat until fluffy.
# Beat in egg yolks.
# Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
# Sift 5½ cups flour with salt, spices and soda and add to creamed mixture alternately with prune juice and brandy.
# Mix with a wooden spoon.
# Add this mixture to the fruit and nuts and blend well.the easiest way to blend this large amount of mixture is with your hands.
# Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture.
# Measure into prapared pans and press well into the corners.
# Heat oven to 275 °F.
# Bake cakes in 8x4x3-inch pans for about 3 hours, in 9x5x3-inch pans or bundt pans for about 3 hours and 15 minutes and in 10-inch tube pans about 3 ½ hours or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.
# Let stand in pans a few minutes, then turn out on racks and cool.
# Strip off paper and wrap cakes in cheesecloth dampened with brandy and then in foil and store in a cool place.
Category:Allspice Recipes
Category:Almond Recipes
Category:Brandy Recipes
Category:Brown sugar Recipes
Category:Cake Recipes
Category:Candied pineapple Recipes
Category:Christmas fruitcake Recipes
Category:Clove Recipes
Category:Currant Recipes
Category:Dates Recipes