Lady Baltimore Frosting & Filling

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup raisins, chopped
1/4 cup rum, kirsch, or warm tea (I used mormon "friendly" tea)
2 cups sugar
4 large egg whites
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped dried figs

Directions

1. Place raisins and liquor or tea in a small bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and a little more than 1/2 cup water to a boil. Continue boiling until syrup reaches 234 degrees to 238 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft-ball stage).
   
2. Place egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat on low speed until foamy. Add salt and beat on medium-high speed until stiff but not dry; do not overbeat.
   
3. With mixer running, add syrup to whites in a stream, beating on high speed until no longer steaming, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and beat until well incorporated.
   
4. For the filling, transfer one-third of the frosting to a medium bowl. Drain raisins and stir into the frosting along with walnuts and figs.
   
   Recipe from Martha Stewart