Title: Saint Fanourios Cake
Categories: Cake Greek
Yield: 12 -16

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.

[Saint Fanourios is the patron saint of the "lost and found." According to tradition, whenever a treasured possession is lost, the owner pledges to bake a fruit cake for Saint Fanourios in the hope of finding it. When the article is found the owner makes good his vow and presents the cake to his neighbourhood church for blessing. Afterward, it is distributed to the poor.]

From "The Complete Book of Greek Cooking - The Recipe Club of Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Cathedral"

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