• Registered: 17-07-2011
  • Posts: 5

Topic: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

Hi,
just wondered how long everyone soaks their xmas cake dried fruit in alcohol for?
i usually put mine to soak in whatevers lying around (bit of grand marnier, sherry and port this year!) around the last week of the summer hols, and leave it until the last day of the half term to make the christmas cake.
had 8 excellent cakes doing this, but colleagues have said they only leave theirs a few days. its a bit of a family tradition that has led me to soak the fruit for 6-8 weeks and made me wonder if there was any benefit/detriment to the length of time involved?
what does everyone else do?
thanks
sue

  • Registered: 07-08-2011
  • Posts: 3

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

Tradition wins it for me - I usually leave the dried fruit in for 2 - 3 weeks until the fruit is nice and plump and there is no alcohol left in the bowl.
I like your alcohol mixture. smile

  • Registered: 05-08-2011
  • Posts: 2

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

I normally soak my fruit it some warm water for a few minutes to allow them to slightly rehydrate, then I drain and place them in to a bowl with the alcohol (usually Courvoisier) and cover with clingfilm before placing in the fridge overnight.  I prefer to feed the cake with alcohol and leave the fruit with a more natural taste.

  • Registered: 29-10-2011
  • Posts: 1

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

I would stick with your traditional method.  My fruit cakes are generally a Jamaican version and I prefer to leave mine soaking for as long as possible, weeks rather than days. Some of the older females in my family have fruits soaking all year round.  I do suppose it depends on personal taste though.

  • Registered: 29-10-2011
  • Posts: 2

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

I'd stick to your traditional method. I don't make my own Christmas cake but I used to help my Mom. She would start soaking the fruit about 2 weeks before Christmas day in a full bottle of brandy. When it was almost gone, she'd pour in another full bottle, always brandy. It's the way she was taught and it always smelt and tasted yummy. Personal preference though, think I'll try it this year.

  • Registered: 10-11-2011
  • Posts: 1

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

I leave it for 2 - 3 weeks usually in whatever cheap duty free brandy-rum-whiskey  even sherry. everyone who has had it always comes back for more. i add a drop to my mincemeat when doing tarts mmmmmmmmm

Last edited by misswhipllash11 (10-11-2011 19:20:21)

  • Registered: 10-11-2011
  • Posts: 5

Re: soaking dried fruit in alcohol

I can't use alchahol due to having relative with problems. For anyone else in a similar position I can highly recommend herbal tea/Lady Grey for soaking fruit. I have just done ordinary fruitcake and soaked fruit for 4 hrs in Cherry & Cinnamon tea. Also added a little to beaten egg before adding to mixture. Very good results with lots of compliments ~ so much so I now have to bake another one as only crumbs left and even they are disappearing smile