Chocolate-orange fruitcake with pecans

16 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupLarge pecan pieces; toasted
1cupChopped dried black mission-
Figs (packed)
1cupChopped pitted prunes -
(packed)
1cupChopped pitted dates -
(packed)
½cupFrozen orange juice -
Concentrate; thawed
¼cupGrand marnier or other -
Orange liqueur
2tablespoonsGrated orange peel
3cupsAll purpose flour
¾cupUnsweetened cocoa powder -
(packed)
teaspoonGround cinnamon
teaspoonBaking powder
teaspoonBaking soda
1teaspoonSalt
1poundsDark brown sugar
6ouncesBittersweet or semisweet -
Chocolate; coarsely chop
½cupUnsalted butter; room temp
4ouncesCream cheese; room temp
4largesEggs; room temperature
¾cupPurchased prune butter
6tablespoonsUnsalted butter
1poundsBittersweet (not unsweet'd)
OR semisweet chocolate
6tablespoonsOrange juice concentrate -
Thawed
Chopped candied fruit peel
(optional)

Directions

CAKE

GLAZE

Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.

Generously butter and flour 12-cup angel food cake pan.

Combine toasted pecans, chopped dried figs, prunes, dates, orange juice concentrate, Grand Marnier and grated orange peel in large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sift flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt into medium bowl.

Combine brown sugar and 6 ounces chocolate in processor and chop into small pieces. Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese in large bowl to blend. Add chocolate mixture and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in prune butter. Stir in ¼ of dry ingredients. Mix in fruit mixture and remaining dry ingredients in 3 additions each. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake cake until tester inserted near center with a few moist crumbs attached, about 1 hour 55 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Turn pan over onto rack; let stand 5 minutes. Lift off pan; cool cake completely. Wrap cake in plastic and store at room temperature 2 days.

For Glaze: Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted and smooth. Whisk in orange juice concentrate.

Place cake on rack. Spread some of chocolate glaze thickly over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Spread remaining chocolate glaze over cake, covering completely. Sprinkle with chopped candied fruit peel, if desired. Refrigerate cake 30 minutes to set glaze. Fruitcake can be prepared 3 weeks ahead. Wrap cake in plastic and refrigerate.

Yield: 16 servings.

Bon Appetit, December 1995.

Formatted for MC by Sharon Klinger, tmvm93b@....

Posted to TNT - Prodigy's Recipe Exchange Newsletter by AWXP96A@... ( MICKEY L FORSTER) on Jul 26, 1997