Martha Washington's Great Cake

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups golden raisins
• 1 cup currants
• 1 cup water
• 4 ounces candied orange peel
• 4 ounces candied lemon peel
• 4 ounces candied citron
• 3 ½ ounces candied red and/or green cherries
• ¼ cup brandy
• 8 ounces butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 ¼ cups sifted unbleached flour
• ½ teaspoon ground mace
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons Sherry Sherry or brandy for soaking Candied cherries, optional

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (14 servings)

    387 calories; 15 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 57 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 36 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 101 milligrams cholesterol; 36 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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2 loaf cakes

Preparation

1. Soak the raisins and currants overnight in water in a small bowl. Combine the orange peel, lemon peel, citron and cherries in a medium-size bowl; sprinkle with brandy and marinate overnight.
2. Beat the butter, three-quarters of a cup of the sugar, egg yolks and lemon juice at high speed in electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about five minutes.
3. Sift the flour, mace and nutmeg on wax paper. Stir into the batter alternately with the Sherry, blending well.
4. Drain the raisins and currants. Add them to the batter with the candied fruits and brandy, mixing well.
5. Beat the egg whites until they are foamy. Beat in the remaining one-quarter cup of sugar slowly until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter.
6. Grease two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-by-2 1/2-inch pans. Spoon the batter into the pans. Place a large pan filled halfway up with boiling water on the lowest oven rack. Place the cakes on the middle oven rack.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes; reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake 55 minutes longer or until the cake centers spring back when lightly touched. Cool the cakes on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans.
8. Wrap the cooled cakes in Sherry- or brandy-soaked cheesecloth. Place in tightly covered containers or wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Check the cheesecloth occasionally. If it dries out, add more Sherry or brandy.
9. Garnish the cakes with candied cherries, if desired.