Little Chocolate-Kahlua Fruitcakes

Source: Christmas with Southern Living 1997

1 cup butter
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup Kahlua
2 tablespoons Kahlua
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour divided
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 ounces pitted dates whole
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans toasted
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup dried apricot halves chopped
Additional Kahlua

Grease five 6 x 3 x 2-inch loaf pans. Line bottoms of loaf pans with wax paper; set aside.

Melt butter and chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Stir in coffee granules. Remove mixture from heat and let cool 15 minutes.

Pour into a large bowl. Stir in brown sugar. Add egg yolks, stirring well. Add 2 tablespoons Kahlua and vanilla extract; stir well.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, soda, and salt; add to chocolate mixture. Combine dates next 3 ingredients; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup flour, tossing to coat. Stir fruit mixture into batter.

Beat egg whites at high speed of an electric mixer until stiff peaks form; fold into batter. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and brush loaves with remaining 1/4 cup Kahlua. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Wrap fruitcakes in Kahlua-soaked cheesecloth. Store in an airtight container in a cool place at least 1 week before serving. Pour a small amount of Kahlua over each loaf every week up to 1 month. To serve, slice with an electric knife.

Yield: 5 loaves

Per serving: 1473 Calories; 75g Fat (44% calories from fat); 15g Protein; 198g Carbohydrate; 208mg Cholesterol; 667mg Sodium