Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

When I was in college, two of my room mates brought fruit cake from home that was left over from Christmas.  Terry brought his favorite "no bake" fruit cake which was a disgusting rectangle of smashed fruit.  Ed brought some of his mom's fruit cake.  She claimed that she had researched it for years and tried many recipes before settling on one that, with some of her own modification, she really liked.  It was plenty fruity, baked like a cake, held its form nicely, and was not dry.  An argument ensued.  Terry said he liked "FRUIT" cake, whereas Ed said that he like fruit "CAKE."  I was the official taste tester and I immediately became a big fan of Una DeBee's fruit cake.  Ed was definitely right.  Terry returned to his bunk with his gob of goo and after a few days, all of the fruit "CAKE" was devoured.  I managed to get at least one piece every year all of our college days.

More importantly, during a visit with the DeBee's, I asked Una for her recipe.  I told my wife that she would have to make one of these fruit cakes every year.  Una copied it out for her and told her a short version of her fruit cake research.   My wife complained a little the first year that she made it, but after eating some, she changed her tune and we have made it a Christmas tradition at our house ever since.

After 48 fruit cakes, my wife announced that this year will be the final year.  We have enjoyed the 2020 fruit cake as always, but this may be the final piece.  We'll see.

Una DeBee's Fruit Cake

Cream 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening together with 1 1/3 cup of sugar.  Stir until creamy.

Warm 2.5 cups applesauce, a #2 can, a good thick brand.  Add it to the mixture and blend.

Dissolve 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda to 2 tablespoons of warm water then add it to the mixture and beat well.

Sift together: 2.5 cups flour, 2/3 Tsp ground cloves, 2/3 tsp Allspice, 2/3 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, and a pinch of Salt.  Add all this to the mixture and mix well.

Remove from the mixer and stir in:

1 pound of mixed candied fruit (the colorful cubed kind that stores sell at Christmas)

1 cup of chopped nuts, walnuts or pecans, more if you like.

2 cups of Raisins - more if you like

Prepare a tube type baking pan using pan spray, or light grease, with waxed paper or parchment on the bottom.  Pour in all the ingredients.  Garnish the top with whole walnuts or pecans.  

Preheat oven to 350 and bake the cake for 1.5 hours.  After 45 minutes, place a piece of brown paper over the pan so that the cake does not brown too much on top.