War cake, shelf life?

[summerf]

Hi everyone, It is that time of year again when I start my baking for Christmas and this year I am going to try baking a war cake. I know that it is similar to a fruit cake and I would like to know what the shelf life is and when should I bake it in time for Christmas. I remember my mother-in-law saying years ago that a fruit cake is better with age. Also, where should I store this cake...in the fridge or maybe a cold room.
Thanks so much for any advice you can share with me.
Summer

 

[CraigC]

Hi everyone, It is that time of year again when I start my baking for Christmas and this year I am going to try baking a war cake. I know that it is similar to a fruit cake and I would like to know what the shelf life is and when should I bake it in time for Christmas. I remember my mother-in-law saying years ago that a fruit cake is better with age. Also, where should I store this cake...in the fridge or maybe a cold room.
Thanks so much for any advice you can share with me.
Summer

If it is like fruit cake, it isn't measured in shelf life, it is measured in half lives!

 

[Aunt Bea]

I would not store a boiled raisin cake for an extended period of time. They are so easy to make just whip one up on a blustery day when you need a treat . This one can be cut in half to make a nice 8 inch cake. You can frost them or make a drizzle with some powdered sugar and Myers dark rum. I just spank a little powdered sugar on mine.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/boiled-raisin-cake-i/http://www.cooks.com/recipe/q107z7c4/depression-boiled-raisin-cake.html

 

[Zagut]

If it is like fruit cake, it isn't measured in shelf life, it is measured in half lives!

And even that might be too short of a time interval to measure it by.

Fruit cakes in my family are judged by how many years they have been re-gifted.

As long as they're not totally green it's fine to pass them on.

Now if there was a war on then I believe that it would last as long I'd feel comfortable eating it.