Is your disaster kit ready for the end of the world today? An important part of any disaster kit is food. In a real disaster it could take days or weeks before emergency responders are able to reach you. During this festive time of year, we like to remind disaster-buffs and foodies of an oft-forgotten addition to any disaster kit: fruitcake. (As inspired by this post.)
Fruitcake is packed full of calories and protein. With about 275 calories per slice on average, the average adult only needs about four slices and a serving of vegetables to maintain a healthy diet during a disaster. Fruitcake also lasts foryears without spoiling, making it the perfect addition to your disaster kit!
Here is a recipe for delicious disaster fruitcake:
Ingredients:
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (110 grams) light brown sugar
1/2 cup (110 grams) dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons brandy plus extra for brushing the cake
Juice and zest (outer orange skin) of one orange
Zest (outer yellow skin) of one lemon
3/4 cup (65 grams) ground almonds
1 cup (100 grams) hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, or almonds, chopped
1 1/2 pounds (680 grams) of an assortment of dried fruits(dried apricots, figs, prunes, etc.), candied and chopped mixed peel, and glace cherries (chopped into bite size pieces)
3/4 pound (340 grams) of an assortment of raisins, sultanas, currants, dried cranberries and/or cherries
2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Butter, or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray, an 8 inch (20 cm) spring form pan with a removable bottom. Line the bottom of the pan with buttered parchment paper. Also line the sides of the pan with a strip of buttered parchment paper that extends about 2 inches above the pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the brandy, juice and zest of the orange, and zest of the lemon. Then fold in the ground almonds, chopped nuts, and all the dried and candied fruits. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder and fold this into the cake batter.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and, if desired, decorate the top of the cake with blanched almonds. Place the spring form pan on a larger baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for1 hour. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and continue to bake the cake for another 1 hour 30 minutes or until a long skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Remove the cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. With a skewer poke holes in the top surface of the cake and brush with a little brandy. Wrap the cake thoroughly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in a cake tin or plastic bag.
