English Dried Fruit Cake

Fruitcake, Fruitcake, Fruitcake!  That word elicits so many interesting facial responses.  

Confusion- as in why in the world are you making that? (My dear sons response)  He hates apples, who in the world hates apples??!!

Disgust- who in the world is going to eat that?  (Uh huh, this was my husbands response)

Mild interest- wow, you actually know how to make that?

Smiles- wow, can I have some? This would usually be followed by "don't tell anyone I like fruit cake, OK?" ;)  

Why the shame??  I love fruit cake.

As you may have noticed, this isn't any old ordinary fruitcake.  No siree, no candied fruit here.  This is more like a cake with fruit; even better, it's dried fruit reconstituted and fresh apples.  For some, nuts are optional, but not for me.  I not only included nuts, but two types: Walnuts & Pecans.  Like all relationships, these two together provide a level of complexity unattainable by themselves!  

Plus, it allows me to make a teeny tiny dent in the 10lb bag of walnuts in the background below.  :)

These are the best darn walnuts I've ever tasted.  They're grown locally here in Northern California and  I can't get enough of them.  Seriously!

Once again, Rose has provided a well-written, precise and tasty recipe.  You won't find any major surprises, nor will you feel any anxiety.  It's filled with a plethora of ingredients, but nothing the average baker won't find in their cupboard.  She suggests a few types of dried fruit, but it's really up to you and your palette.  

I chose apples, apricots, peaches, pears, and cherries.  When I make this again, I will eliminate the dried apples, as the fresh apple is enough.  I would suggest more apricots or peaches.

Combining ingredients was quite easy.  So easy in fact, a mixer wasn't required!

A variety of pans can be used, square, round, rectangle, whatever your heart desires!   Just remember to adjust the baking time.  I chose a 10X10 pan to allow for a slightly thicker cake.  This allowed me to cut circles with a large cookie cutter, for a slightly different presentation.   

And don't forget the Rum!!  Well, you can if you want to, but who eats fruit cake without Rum??  Isn't that part of the fun...

In case you're wondering, I chose to add a caramelized apple garnish on top.

In the end, I talked both my guys into tasting the cake.  I kind of omitted the fact that apples were in the cake when my son asked "what's in it".  Regardless, his 7 year old palette just didn't tolerate fruit cake.  :(  On the other hand, my husband seems to like it, well maybe mildly, but beggars can't be choosers, right??   I'll take it.  

Nonetheless, I really like this cake and added a little extra rum, since it looks like I'll be the only one eating it!