Edible buzz

December 18, 2009 7:55 PM

Pre-baked virgin fruitcake. Is it too late to infuse it with brandy or rum?

I've read the online scratch-made recipes which take weeks and weeks. Should I poke a few little holes and dribble in some brandy between now and 25 December? If so, how often?

posted by maggieb to Food & Drink (7 answers total)

Best answer: my father and step mother wrap their fruitcakes in booze soaked cheesecloth.
posted by nadawi at 8:03 PM on December 18, 2009

Best answer: It's not too late. Alton Brown's fruitcake recipe, for example, uses a bit of rum to macerate the fruit but after that the alcohol all comes from keeping the cake moist as the flavors develop. I wouldn't bother poking any holes in it unless it's fairly impenetrable. Buy a cheap spray bottle or use a basting brush to moisten it a couple a times a day.
posted by jedicus at 8:07 PM on December 18, 2009

Best answer: It's better after baking rather than before, but if you use too much you might want to make it adults only. You can get a half a fifth or more into a regular sized fruitcake, not that you should. If that is what you want, make a more traditional booze cake, like rum cake.
posted by caddis at 10:13 PM on December 18, 2009

Best answer: Its never too late to add booze.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:28 PM on December 18, 2009

Best answer: I poked holes in my last fruitcake, using a very narrow skewer; I made the holes from the bottom and stored the cake upside-down. I think it probably doesn't hurt to have holes if you want to get the alcohol deep into the cake quite quickly. I just poured a capful or two over the cake every day, then wrapped the cake in baking parchment and then foil. Within four or five days it was perfect.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:49 AM on December 19, 2009

Best answer: No, it is not to late to start on your fruitcake for next year. Oh, you mean this year? Well....it is not too late, but it would be better if it had months to develop.

1. Store in a tight sealing food container. Old metal cookie tins lined with parchment paper are the best.

2. Every couple of days baste with the best brandy you can afford.

Allow for at least two weeks.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 7:41 AM on December 19, 2009

Response by poster: You are all well and truly right.
posted by maggieb at 5:20 PM on January 6, 2010