1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup brandy
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups golden raisins
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp double-acting baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp grated orange peel
1/2 cup sesame seeds (optional)
1/4 cup brandy
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine orange juice, 1/2 cup brandy,
butter, raisins, sugar, honey, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a large
heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer
for 10 minutes, or until thick and syrupy. Set pot in cold water to
cool mixture completely. Sift flour, baking powder, and baking soda
into cooled syrup. Beat vigorously for 8 to 10 minutes, or until
batter is smooth and bubbly. Stir in grated peel. Turn into
well-buttered 7-inch fluted tube pan or 8-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle
with sesame seeds. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until a knife
inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup brandy
and cool cake in pan.
Yields
12 -16