In 1966 Luci Johnson, daughter of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, cut into this 300-pound cake at her White House wedding reception. I found a newspaper clipping with a recipe for the "small size" version of the cake tucked inside a book I'd bought at a used book store. According to the clipping, "White House Pastry Chef Ferdinand Louvat experimented with a vast number of batters before coming up with the summer fruit cake he selected for its keeping qualities." If you're planning a small summer wedding or anniversary party, this cake serves 8-10. Prepare Soaked Raisins 2-3 days ahead:
- 1/2 cup white or golden seedless raisins
- apple juice
- Cover raisins with apple juice.
- Let this soak in the fridge for 2-3 days, or till raisins are plump.
- Drain and spread on a towel to dry surface moisture.
Assemble ingredients for cake batter:
- 1-3/4 cups sifted cake flour
- 1 tsp. double acting baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 5 egg whites, unbeaten
- 3/4 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup soaked raisins (see above)
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Sift flour once and measure.
- Add baking powder and salt and sift together 3 times.
- Cream butter thoroughly and add sugar gradually, creaming together till light and fluffy.
- Add egg whites 1 at a time, beating thoroughly after each.
- Add fruits, nuts and flavoring and mix well.
- Add flour a little at a time, beating well after each addition till smooth.
- Pour batter into 8 x 4 x 3-inch loaf pan which has been greased, lined with heavy paper and greased again.
- Bake in a slow oven, preheated to 300 degrees, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until done.
Notes: The recipe for the fruitcake's icing was not provided.
Luci Johnson's marriage to Patrick Nugent ended in divorce. But the marriage was fruitful; according to Wikipedia, they had a son and 3 daughters.
