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

 * 1) 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.
 * 2) 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.
 * 3) 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.
 * 4) 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.
 * 5) 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.
 * 6) Of course you can also use any combination of these sizes.
 * 7) For example, you can make a large cake in a bundt pan, two 9x5x3-in loaves and three 8x4x3-inch loaves.
 * 8) 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.
 * 9) Line greased pans with greased heavy brown paper, except for the bundt pan which should be greased and floured.
 * 10) Combine nuts and fruit in a very large bowl or roasting pan.
 * 11) Add 1 cup of flour and toss by hand to coat fruit with flour.
 * 12) Cream butter well (you can use your electric mixer for this part of the recipe).
 * 13) Add Sugar and beat until fluffy.
 * 14) Beat in egg yolks.
 * 15) Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
 * 16) Sift 5½ cups flour with salt, spices and soda and add to creamed mixture alternately with prune juice and brandy.
 * 17) Mix with a wooden spoon.
 * 18) 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.
 * 19) Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture.
 * 20) Measure into prapared pans and press well into the corners.
 * 21) Heat oven to 275 °F.
 * 22) 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.
 * 23) Let stand in pans a few minutes, then turn out on racks and cool.
 * 24) Strip off paper and wrap cakes in cheesecloth dampened with brandy and then in foil and store in a cool place.