Best 8 Christmas Fruitcake Bars Recipes

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Christmas is a time for joy, family, and of course, delicious food. One of the most popular holiday treats is fruitcake, a dense, moist cake filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. While traditional fruitcake can be time-consuming to make, these Christmas fruitcake bars offer a quick and easy alternative. Made with a simple batter and packed with your favorite dried fruits and nuts, these bars are sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE BARS



Holiday Fruitcake Bars image

No time to make a fruitcake for the holidays? This quick bar cookie will satisfy your cravings. This recipe combines the best of several recipes I've tried over the years.

Provided by justcallmetoni

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 40m

Yield 3 dozen, 36 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 eggs
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans
1 cup candied fruit
1/3 cup currants
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons rum

Steps:

  • Beat eggs with a mixer until they are golden yellow and doubled in volume - 2 or 3 minutes.
  • Add in 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and vanilla.
  • Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Take 2 tablespoons of flour mixture and stir in with candied fruit, nuts and currants, to keep fruit from clumping in the batter.
  • Add the rest of the flour mix to the eggs and sugar.
  • Fold fruit and nuts into batter.
  • Spoon batter into a well greased 11" by 7" pan.
  • Some years I use parchment paper instead.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  • Mix together rum and second cup of powdered sugar to make a glaze.
  • Spread the icing onto the bars about 5 minutes after they've come out of the oven.
  • Let bars cool and cut into bars.

FRUITCAKE BARS



Fruitcake Bars image

"This recipe has been a family favorite for years," tells Terry Mercede of Danbury, Connecticut. "People who declare they won't eat fruitcake love these bars! They're so easy to make...and they're colorful, too - chock-full of candied pineapple and red and green cherries."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup butter, softened
1-3/4 cups packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped candied pineapple
1-3/4 cups red and green candied cherries, halved
2 cups pitted dates, halved

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla. Add flour and walnuts; mix well. Spread evenly into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with pineapple, cherries and dates; press lightly into dough. , Bake at 325° for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 21mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE BARS



Christmas Fruitcake Bars image

I have baked this cookie every Christmas for at least 25 years. I've had the recipe for so long, I don't even remember where it came from! -Jeaune Hadl, Lexington, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/4 cups biscuit/baking mix
1-1/4 cups chopped mixed candied fruit
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup flaked coconut
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy. Add biscuit mix. Stir in candied fruit, pecans and coconut., Spoon into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts :

CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE



Christmas Fruitcake image

It's a shame that fruitcake as a species gets such a bad rap. With its two key ingredients--rum and butter--it ought to be a hit. This recipe includes dried fruit, instead of the glowing, candied stuff we've all learned to associate with fruitcake, and is less dense and more cake-like than many fruitcake recipes. It has become a favorite of my friends and family around the holidays (even the skeptical ones), and is delicious by itself, or covered with a layer of almond paste.

Provided by Karen Uffelman

Categories     Desserts     Specialty Dessert Recipes     Liqueur Dessert Recipes     Rum

Time P20DT6h57m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

⅛ cup chopped dried cherries
⅛ cup chopped dried mango
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup dried currants
2 tablespoons chopped candied citron
¼ cup dark rum
½ cup butter
¼ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsulfured molasses
2 tablespoons milk
¼ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup dark rum, divided

Steps:

  • Soak cherries, mango, cranberries, currants, and citron in 1/4 cup rum for at least 24 hours. Cover tightly, and store at room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter a 6x3-inch round pan or loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; mix into butter and sugar in three batches, alternating with molasses and milk. Stir in soaked fruit and chopped nuts. Scrape batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 2 tablespoons rum.
  • Cut out one piece parchment paper and one piece cheesecloth, each large enough to wrap around the cake. Moisten cheesecloth with 1 tablespoon rum. Arrange cheesecloth on top of parchment paper, and unmold cake onto it. Sprinkle top and sides of cake with remaining rum. Wrap the cheesecloth closely to the surface of the cake, then wrap with paper. Place in an airtight tin, and age for at least 10 weeks. If storing longer, douse with additional rum for every 10 weeks of storage.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.3 calories, Carbohydrate 33.3 g, Cholesterol 54.1 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 202.7 mg, Sugar 20.5 g

FRUITCAKE BARS



Fruitcake Bars image

Bake these brandy-spiked bars up to two days ahead, and cut just before serving.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup brandy
5 cups dried fruit (see cooks' note), coarsely chopped
2 cups packed light-brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides; butter paper, and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt; set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat brandy until simmering. Remove from heat, and stir in fruit; cool to room temperature. Toss brandied fruit with 1 cup flour mixture; set aside.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; mix in vanilla. With mixer on low, add remaining flour mixture; mix just until combined. Fold in fruit mixture; transfer batter to prepared pan, and smooth top.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan for 1 hour. Using paper overhang, lift out of pan; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely (still on paper). Invert fruitcake, and peel off paper; flip upright, and cut into 24 diamonds with a serrated knife. Dust with confectioners' sugar, if desired.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS



Festive Fruitcake Bars image

Fruitcake bars deliver the same great flavors of fruitcake with much less time and work.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h55m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups candied cherries
1 package (8 ounces) pitted dates, cut in half
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or filberts
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, the brown sugar, butter, orange peel, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and egg with spoon.
  • In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
  • Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • In 1-quart saucepan, heat all Orange Glaze ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Drizzle cooled bars with glaze. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 3 rows.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220, Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 2 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Bar, Sodium 130 mg

WHITE CHOCOLATE FRUITCAKE BARS



White Chocolate Fruitcake Bars image

These cookie bars are studded with the best parts of traditional fruitcake (orange zest and dried fruit) and spiced up with lots of fresh ginger. The white chocolate drizzle creates a blank canvas that's perfect for sprinkles and/or sanding sugar.

Provided by Tara O'Brady

Categories     Cookies     Holiday 2018     Dessert     Butter     Almond     Egg     Orange     Ginger     Vanilla     Cranberry     Coconut     Chocolate     White Chocolate     Christmas     Bake

Yield Makes about 30

Number Of Ingredients 19

For the Shortbread:
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup almond flour or meal
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 Tbsp. finely grated orange zest
1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger (from one 3" piece)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or coconut chips
2 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped
For the Glaze and Assembly:
8 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped, or white chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Sprinkles and/or sanding sugar (for sprinkling)

Steps:

  • Make the Shortbread:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8" square metal pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter parchment.
  • Whisk flour, almonds, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed (or use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat granulated sugar and 1 1/4 cups butter in a large bowl, scraping down sides, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to medium, add egg, and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute more. Scrape down sides of bowl. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in orange zest, ginger, and vanilla.
  • With the mixer running on low speed, add dry ingredients and beat just until combined with some visible flour remaining. Add cranberries, coconut, and chocolate. Beat just until incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl, then fold dough once or twice with a spatula.
  • Scrape dough into prepared pan. Using dampened fingers or a damp offset spatula, press dough evenly into pan. Bake shortbread until lightly golden brown and set, 25-30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool.
  • Do Ahead: Shortbread can be baked 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
  • Make the Glaze and Assemble:
  • Heat chocolate, oil, and salt in a small heatproof bowl in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth and glossy, about 1 minute total. Set aside 2 Tbsp. glaze, then pour remaining glaze over cooled shortbread in pan, spreading to the edges. Let sit at room temperature until set (if you're impatient, chill 10-15 minutes).
  • Run a paring knife around edge of pan to release, then remove shortbread from pan using parchment overhang. Slice into bars. To slice into diamonds, cut into five 1 1/2" strips, then slice each strip on the bias into 1" diamonds.
  • Rewarm reserved glaze and drizzle over bars in stripes with a spoon. Top with sprinkles. Let sit at room temperature until set (or chill for 8-10 minutes).
  • Do Ahead: Bars can be made 5 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

SPICED FRUITCAKE BARS



Spiced Fruitcake Bars image

Fruitcake bars are very forgiving. You can bake them months ahead, and substitute almost any fruit or nut you like for one you don't. Aim for a balance of tastes and textures, and test to see if your selections work together, just pop a small handful in your mouth.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 4 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/2 cups (15 ounces) dark raisins
2 1/2 cups (15 ounces) golden raisins
2 cups (9 ounces) dried currants
2 cups (11 ounces) dried sour cherries, coarsely chopped
2 1/2 cups (9 ounces) dried cranberries
1 cup (5 ounces) dried apricots, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3/4 cup honey
1 cup Cognac, Armagnac, or other brandy
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
2 1/4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups (5 ounces) walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups sugar
7 large eggs

Steps:

  • In a large nonreactive container (glass, ceramic, or plastic), combine dried fruits, honey, and Cognac; let macerate at room temperature 2 days or up to 2 weeks, covered with plastic wrap.
  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Generously butter and flour two 8-inch square (or round) pans; tap out excess flour. Whisk to combine flour, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl. Stir in walnuts.
  • In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down side of bowl as needed. Transfer to a large bowl. Using a flexible spatula, fold in flour-nut mixture and drained fruit mixture; stir to evenly distribute fruits and nuts.
  • Divide batter between prepared pans; use an offset spatula to smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 2 to 2 1/4 hours. Transfer pans to wire rack to cool completely. Invert cakes onto racks to unmold. Invert again, top sides up. (Cakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 months.)
  • Using a serrated knife, cut cake into thirds. Slice each third into 1-inch-thick slices. Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the fruitcake bars will be. Use fresh, ripe fruit, and high-quality nuts and spices.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the fruitcake bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the fruitcake bars until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean: This will ensure that the fruitcake bars are cooked through.
  • Let the fruitcake bars cool completely before cutting them into bars: This will help to prevent the fruitcake bars from crumbling.
  • Store the fruitcake bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks: You can also freeze the fruitcake bars for up to 3 months.

Conclusion:

Christmas fruitcake bars are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little planning, you can make these fruitcake bars ahead of time and enjoy them all season long.

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