Fruitcake. Discuss.

I don't think that I've ever actually tried Claxton, but I'ma pick some up next supermarket run if it's out yet. I need something to hold me over for the next 2 months, and bet I'll enjoy it.

:O seriously, how the heck did they mix that up in the 1700's and how big a pan did they use?!
I wonder if the City Tavern in Philly makes this for Xmas, their menu is all about 1700s-era food.
Just took a look at their menu since I haven't been there in at least 10 years and did a double take at the "fried tofu". Really? WTF?
According to the website:
"In a 1770 letter to Philadelphia's John Bartram, Benjamin Franklin included instructions on how to make tofu. Sally Lunn breaded fried tofu, spinach, seasonal vegetables, sauteed tomatoes & herbs, linguine"
Well alrighty then!

Yesterday I moved my FC to the garage since the basement felt a bit warm @ ~60F. Garage is currently 55 and won't get much warmer even when I fire up the gas heater in a week or three.
It's up on a shelf so hopefully no critters get into it!

 

Moved my cakes to the garage a few weeks ago since the basement is a bit warmer than I'd like, but we've been having 50F+ weather here so the garage isn't much cooler!
Been lovingly brushing them with brandy every 7-10 days. The one that crumbled a bit upon removal from the pan is the designated tester, and yeah, they're aging nicely
My parents are driving out from NJ to spend Christmas with us and my father asks how the FC is doing, and making sure I save him one, every time we talk on the phone lol

That looks freakin great. Not sure about the big green chunks but all the nuts and cake itself look incredible.
At first I thought ~$30 sounded like a ton of money but then I remembered we spent $30 on a tasty but overall forgettable tres leches birthday cake for a friend last week. I'd have MUCH rather had one of those.

Store bought or homemade?

I've found that generally people who don't like (or more accurately, claim to not like) fruitcake either 1) operate within a very narrow spectrum of foods, or 2) say "yuck" just to get attention and a reaction. Everyone else thinks rationally about the ingredients and at least gives it a try with an open mind. So far I haven't had anyone taste mine and not happily wolf down the piece, usually going for a second.
Kind of like people who say "I hate Europe!" or "I hate music"!
Best to just laugh and enjoy the FC for yourself