Fruitcake

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon , or to taste
• 2 tablespoons ground cloves , or to taste
• 2 tablespoons ground allspice , or to taste
• 2 tablespoons ground nutmeg , or to taste
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 0.5 cups brandy
• 1.5 cups raisins
• 1.5 cups chopped nuts
• 1.5 cups dried mixed fruit
• 1.5 cups butter , melted
• 1.75 cups brandy , Optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9-inch tube pan.

2. 2

   Combine sugar, flour, soda, spices, eggs, lemon rind, vanilla, 1/2 cup brandy, fruit, nuts, and melted butter in a large bowl; mix thoroughly and pour into prepared pan.

3. 3

   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack.

4. 4

   Store completely cooled fruitcake in an airtight tin. For a richer flavor, sprinkle two tablespoons of brandy over the cake every day for two weeks.