Fantastic Banana Fruitcake

This cake is very moist, it is the ultimate in fruit cakes, I think it's the pureed banana, along with the pineapple, that makes this fruit cake so extra special. Make sure that the crushed pineapple is very well drained before adding to batter, also this fruit cake can be succesfully baked in mini loaf pans (just cut down baking time), these cakes freeze well, and also taste better when left until the following day.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Yields: 2 9x5 inch loaf cakes

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 2  cups  packed brown sugar
• 4  eggs
• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  chopped walnuts
• 3  cups  candied fruit
• 2  cups  chopped dates
• 3  tablespoons  orange juice
• 2  teaspoons  grated  orange rind
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  orange extract
• 1  cup crushed pineapple, very well drained
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1⁄2 cups  mashed ripe bananas

Directions

1. Set oven to 300 degrees Prepare two (9" x 5") loaf pans, or 8 mini loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl combine the fruit, dates and walnuts, then dredge them with 1/4 cup flour.
3. Sift the remaining flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; set aside.
4. In another bowl, cream butter, add sugar, and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
6. Beat in the orange rind, orange juice, orange extract and drained pineapple.
7. Mash the bananas with a fork (do not use a food processor, as it will liquefy and the bananas, and will change the texture of the cake).
8. Alternately, stir in the banana puree with the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the floured fruit and nuts.
9. Turn into prepared pans.
10. Bake for about 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until loosley with foil if the cakes are browning too much on top.
11. Cool in pans for 20 minutes, then turn onto racks Note: If baking in mini loaf pans, then cut down the baking time.