Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 pound mixed dried fruits (such as blueberries, cranberries, cherries, raisins, and chopped apricots)
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks unsalted)
- butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 ounces almond paste
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup
- Grand Marnier (or other orange-flavored liqueur)
- 2 cups bleached all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds (toasted)
- 1/2 cup pecan pieces
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces
- 1/4 cup bourbon
Instructions
- Cream the butter, sugar and almond paste together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle at low speed, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat until the mixture is fluffy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing in between each addition on low speed and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add 1/4 cup of the Grand Marnier and mix to incorporate.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium-size mixing bowl and blend well. Add this mixture 1/2 cup at a time to the butter mixture with the mixer on low speed, each time mixing until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. The batter will be thick.
- Add the warm fruit and all of the nuts a little at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly grease a bundt pan with butter or non-stick baking spray. Pour the batter into the pan and bake until golden brown and the top springs back when touched, about 45 to 50 minutes (turning the pan to ensure even browning after 30 minutes.)
- Cool the cake for 20 minutes in the pan, then remove and continue to cool upside-down on wire racks.
- Make tiny holes with a toothpick randomly on the rounded end of the cake. Combine the remaining simple syrup with the remaining 1/4 cup of Grand Marnier and the bourbon. Wrap the cake in a layer of cheesecloth and pour 1/4 cup of the syrup over the top of each cake. Store in a plastic zip bag for 3 or 4 days until the cake is slightly stale. Sprinkle syrup over cakes once every 2 to 3 days until all of the syrup is used. Let the cakes age for up to 3 weeks before eating.
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Southern
