"Don't Call It Fruitcake" Bites 2.0

My recipes are always morphing.
The big upgrade here is soaking the dried fruit in liquor. For days!
Got the tip from a recipe in the LA Times. Then I carried on with the original Bites proportions.

(The original version is here)

"Don't Call It Fruitcake" Bites

YIELD 11-12 small "cupcake" size bites
TIME NEEDED: days to soak fruit, at least an hour for baking


INGREDIENTS

• 48oz jar with a tight lid
• 11-12 cupcake or souffle cups (depends upon size of muffin pan)

• 8oz pitted Medjool dates or 12oz dates coated with walnuts, chopped OR 8oz yellow raisins
• 20oz total assortment of dried fruit, chopped suggested: apricots, cherries, raisins, papaya, figs, prunes *3 cups dried fruit total*
• 8oz Amaretto (or other liquor)

• 1 cup shelled pistachios
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup shelled pecans or walnuts
• OR 2 cups almonds total

• 1/2 cup candied orange or citron peel
• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon double acting baking powder
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

PREPARATION

1. Coarsely chop dried fruit, final measure (dates plus others) is 3 cups.
2. Put in a 48oz jar and add liquor.
3. Let soak 2 to 3 days, turning and shaking jar periodically.
4. ...
5. Heat oven to 275 degrees.
6. Combine fruit in a bowl with orange peel.
7. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
8. Sift this over fruit. Toss to coat.
9. In medium bowl, beat eggs until frothy.
10. Beat in sugar.
11. Pour over fruit.
12. With wooden spoon, mix well.
13. Fold in nuts, mix until coated with batter.
14. Divide mixture into paper cups, packing the cups solidly - fill in open spaces.
15. Bake for about 65 minutes, until tops of bites look dry but not brown.
16. When bites are done, let stand for 5 minutes.

If not eating right away, wrap bites in plastic wrap. They will keep for two months in refrigerator.
If storing, sprinkle with more liquor an hour before serving (optional).

Linking with

Michelles Potpourri
Shelbees Spread the Kindness