Yummy Dessert For the Holidays - Nonalcoholic Loaf Fruitcakes
Author: Linda Wilson
There are some desserts that just mean holidays when you hear the name. No matter how good throughout the year, we just think we have to have them at the holidays. For many people it just wouldn't be the holidays without a fruitcake. And for others, they groan at the thought of another holiday fruitcake. Personally, I never cared for fruitcake because I never liked alcohol. But this recipe for Nonalcoholic Fruitcake Loaves is great for people like me who do not drink or like the taste of liquor. Root Beer is a replacement for the alcohol. But get busy. These cakes set for 3 weeks if you want to give them a root beer soaking. If you don't think you like fruitcake, you owe it to yourself to try this version.
NONALCOHOLIC LOAF FRUITCAKES
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 tbsp orange extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
7 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 1/2 cups chopped candied pineapple
1 tub (8-oz) red candied cherries, chopped
1 tub (8-oz) green candied cherries, chopped
3 cups pecan halves, coarsely chopped and toasted
1 cup walnut halves, coarsely chopped and toasted
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 whole-wheat flour
3 tbsp root beer
Additional candied cherries and pecan halves for garnish
Beat the butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the granulated and dark brown sugars, beating well. Add the molasses and orange extract, beating well. Combine the flour, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves together; add to the sugar mixture alternately with the beaten eggs, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat well after each addition.
In a large bowl combine the candied pineapple, chopped red cherries, chopped green cherries, pecans, walnuts, golden raisins, and raisins. Sprinkle the fruits and nuts with the whole-wheat flour, stirring to coat nuts and fruits well. Stir fruits and nuts into the batter.
Spoon the batter, evenly divided, into 3 heavily greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Arrange additional candied cherries and pecan halves on the tops in your choice of design.
Bake cakes at 250 degrees for 2 1/2 hours or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Brush each loaf with a tablespoon of the root bear. Allow to cool completely on wire racks.
If desired, wrap loaves in root beer soaked cheesecloth and store in an airtight container for 3 weeks in a cool place. Pour a small amount of root beer over the loaves each week, if desired.
Enjoy!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/desserts-articles/yummy-dessert-for-the-holidays-nonalcoholic-loaf-fruitcakes-5367673.html
About the Author
You can find more of Linda's 'sweet' recipes at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com She shares her diabetic recipes on another blog at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com
