Friendship Fruitcake and Starter With Brandy

Submitted by Lennie

"Here's the recipe for the starter for a fruit-packed Friendship Cake. This is made with apricot brandy."

 

• Ready In: 361hrs
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 4 starters

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups apricot brandy
• 6 cups sugar
• 1 (28 ounce) can sliced peaches
• 1 (19 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 (250 ml) jars maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
• 2 cups chopped nuts
• 2 (18 ounce) packages Betty Crocker Super Moist cake mix (white, golden, vanilla or lemon)
• 8 eggs
• 3⁄4 cup oil

directions

1. Day 1: in a large bowl, combine brandy (or starter from a friend), 2 cups sugar and peaches; cover; store at room temperature.
2. Stir daily.
3. Day 5: Add 2 cups sugar and pineapple.
4. Stir daily.
5. Day 10: Add 2 cups sugar and cherries.
6. Stir daily.
7. Day 15: Drain fruit mixture; divide fruit in half.
8. Reserve half for later use.
9. Divide juice to make 3 or 4"starters" (at least 1-1/2 cups juice for each).
10. Give juice"starter" to friends for use within 1 to 2 days.
11. TO MAKE CAKE: Heat oven to 350 F degrees.
12. Grease three 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans.
13. Combine half the fruit and nuts in a large bowl; flour with 1/2 pkg (about 2 cups) cake mix; set aside.
14. Blend 1-1/2 packages cake mix, eggs and oil in another large bowl on low speed of mixer till moistened; beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
15. Pour batter over fruit-nut mixture; mix thoroughly.
16. Pour into pans and bake 60 minutes.
17. Do not open door or prick or pat to test for doneness.
18. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans.

Reviews

[Christina H.]

I've been making this recipe for years as Christmas gifts for family and friends. Each and every year I get rave reviews from all. It's a HUGE hit here!

 

[SmilinJenE]

The baking time was too long, and my cake got very "crispy" on the outside, and made for a poor appearance. I usually check on my food after a while, but the instructions say not to open the door, and I've learned to follow those types of instructions, because they are usually there for a reason. The inside was good though. I would have rated it better if it hadn't burned. It was a lengthy process to have to throw half of it away.