Chocolate-Dipped Apricot Fruitcakes

Name: Chocolate-Dipped Apricot Fruitcakes
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 4 dozen.
Cuisine: Comfort Food Desserts, Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients: 4 cups dried apricots, chopped; 4 cups coarsely chopped pecans; 3 cups chopped dates; 1-1/2 cups golden raisins; 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1 cup butter, softened; 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar; 5 large eggs; 1/2 cup apricot nectar; 1/2 cup honey; 1/4 cup half-and-half cream; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped; 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; Additional melted white and semisweet chocolate and pecan halves, optional

Here's a hint about this recipe: Don't call it fruitcake when you serve it. People who aren't normally fans will be delighted with these chocolate-coated cake squares. The moist cake is packed with apricots, dates, raisins and more. —Jackie Jegla, Sanford, Michigan

Ingredients

4 cups dried apricots, chopped
4 cups coarsely chopped pecans
3 cups chopped dates
1-1/2 cups golden raisins
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
5 large eggs
1/2 cup apricot nectar
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Additional melted white and semisweet chocolate and pecan halves, optional

Directions

Grease and flour two 13x9-in. baking pans. Line the bottoms with waxed paper; set aside. Combine the apricots, pecans, dates, raisins and 1/2 cup flour; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the apricot nectar, honey, cream and lemon juice; beat well (mixture will appear curdled).
Combine the baking powder, cinnamon, salt, allspice and remaining flour; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add apricot mixture and stir well (batter will be very thick).
Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 275° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Set aside one cake for Fruitcake Trifle. Cut remaining cake into 48 squares.
In a microwave, melt white chocolate; stir until smooth. Dip half of the cake squares into melted chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Repeat with semisweet chocolate and remaining cake squares.
Drizzle cakes with additional chocolate and garnish with pecans if desired. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.