Fruitcake Quick Fix Bars

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Needed a quick way to have that holiday fruitcake taste without the long planning and preparing, with some ease in giving. Besides that, most people aren't afraid of a bar cookie the way people develop phobias about fruitcake, including me. These aren't too labor intensive, similar time it takes to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Recipe is original, a take on a variety of sources.

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Steps

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Preheat oven to 350.

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Line an 11x7 baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.

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If necessary , dice any large slices of dried fruit.

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To a small saucepan , add the dried mixed fruit and dried cranberries , orange juice and rum or brandy.

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Bring to a simmer for about one minute and then take off heat , allowing to marinate for a few minutes while toasting the nuts.

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Drain well.

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Add the 1 tablespoon of butter to a saute pan to melt over medium heat , when melted , add nuts.

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Stirring frequently , toast the nuts until you can begin to smell them toasting and are hot to the touch and starting to brown.

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This takes usually not more than about five minutes in total , give or take based on your own experience with cooking times in your own kitchen.

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Cream the butter , sugar , brown sugar and honey until well mixed and fluffy.

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Add the eggs , one at a time , mixing well after each addition.

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Continue to beat mixture until very light and fluffy , usually ab.

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Ingredients

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unsalted butter, sugar, brown sugar, honey, eggs, all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ground mace, ground cardamom, vanilla, pecans, butter, dried cranberries, mixed dried fruit, orange juice, rum, powdered sugar, cream, grand marnier