In the realm of holiday baking, there exists a resplendent confection that captivates palates and fills homes with its aromatic embrace: the festive fruitcake. This timeless classic, often associated with Christmas celebrations, is a testament to the artistry and skill of bakers worldwide. With its intricate blend of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, the fruitcake is a culinary masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Whether you're a seasoned baker looking to elevate your holiday offerings or a novice cook seeking to embark on a delightful culinary adventure, this article will guide you through the world of festive fruitcake, providing insights into its rich history, exploring variations from different cultures, and unveiling the secrets to creating a truly exceptional fruitcake that will be the centerpiece of your holiday table.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS
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
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
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE I
This is a large recipe that is rich and dark. Make a few weeks ahead of time. Apple juice can be substituted for orange juice. Originally submitted to CakeRecipe.com.
Provided by Carol
Categories Desserts Cakes Holiday Cake Recipes
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease four 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans, and then line with brown paper or foil. Grease again.
- In a large container stir raisins, currants, candied fruit mix, candied cherries, maraschino cherries, dates, and 1 cup flour together until all the fruit is well coated with flour.
- Measure 2 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a medium bowl. Stir to mix.
- In a very large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar. Beat in egg yolks three at a time. Stir in pineapple with juice and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 parts alternately with fruit juice in 2 parts to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in walnuts.
- In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into batter, and stir in fruit gently. Divide batter among pans. Smooth.
- Bake for about 3 hours until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 466.6 calories, Carbohydrate 82.4 g, Cholesterol 71.5 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 174 mg, Sugar 45.6 g
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE COOKIES
I cut this cookie recipe out of a magazine years ago, but have never made them, until now. They're very good, and not too labour-intensive if you buy the fruit already chopped. I modified the recipe slightly by adding the ginger. Also, the original called for shortening. I used butter.
Provided by Kathleen Constance
Categories Drop Cookies
Time 50m
Yield 48 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine fruit and nuts in a bowl. Sprinkle 2 or 3 teaspoons of flour over the fruit mixture and stir to lightly coat the fruit.
- Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until light and creamy.
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture and blend well.
- Stir in fruit mix. The dough will be very stiff - I found mixing with my handmixer dough hooks easier!
- Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto parchment covered baking sheets, flattening very slightly with the spoon.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 68.9, Fat 3.5, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 9.5, Sodium 72, Carbohydrate 8.8, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 5.1, Protein 1.1
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE
Steps:
- HEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom and sides of 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan with flour no-stick cooking spray.
- COMBINE water, oil and eggs in large bowl. Beat well. Add quick bread mix, pecans, raisins, cherries and pineapple. Stir with spoon until combined. Pour into prepared pan.
- BAKE 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 30 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool 1 hour longer or until completely cooled.
- WRAP tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate at least 8 hours. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for up to 3 months.
- Just before serving: HEAT jelly or syrup in microwave 10 seconds or until melted and smooth. Brush over fruitcake. Garnish with additional cherries and pecans, if desired.
FESTIVE RUM FRUITCAKE COOKIES
These little gems don't get passed from house to house, neighbor to neighbor nor holiday to holiday year after year! They get eaten as fast as you can make them!! Candied fruit, rum and assorted nuts all packed into a delicious buttery cookie...what could be better? :D (photo from bing images)
Provided by Kelly Williams
Categories Fruit Desserts
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Beat shortening and sugar in mixer bowl til fluffy. Add eggs, orange juice and rum extract. Beat 2 minutes longer.
- 2. Combine flour, baking powder and soda, and salt in small bowl. I use a whisk, it mixes dry ingredients so much better. Add fruit and nuts. Stir into creamed mixture.
- 3. Drop by rounded tablespoons full onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 12 minutes +, or til golden. Let cookies stand on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then remove to wire rack to cool completely. *Can drizzle accross with rum-flavored powdered suagr icing, or dip halfway into white chocolate and let harden if desired. *See Icings and Glazes for recipe.
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE
This is a large recipe that is rich and dark. Make a few weeks ahead of time. The walnuts can be chopped or left whole.
Provided by Carol
Categories Desserts Fruit Dessert Recipes Cherry Dessert Recipes
Yield 48
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease four 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans, and then line with brown paper or foil. Grease again.
- In a large container stir raisins, currants, candied fruit mix, candied cherries, maraschino cherries, dates, and 1 cup flour together until all the fruit is well coated with flour.
- Measure 2 1/4 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a medium bowl. Stir to mix.
- In a very large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar. Beat in egg yolks three at a time. Stir in pineapple with juice and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 parts alternately with fruit juice in 2 parts to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in walnuts.
- In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into batter, and stir in fruit gently. Divide batter among pans. Smooth.
- Bake for about 3 hours until an inserted wooden pick comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.3 calories, Carbohydrate 80.7 g, Cholesterol 71.5 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 228.6 mg, Sugar 45.1 g
FESTIVE HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE BARK
Every year I make brandy-soaked dried fruit for fruitcake, but I always make too much. When I tried turning the extras into candy, the result was a sweet and colorful bark for grown-ups. -Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 25m
Yield 2 pounds.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine candied fruit and brandy. Refrigerate, covered, 2 hours, stirring occasionally., Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with waxed paper. Reserve 2 tablespoons candied fruit and 2 tablespoons walnuts for topping. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Stir in marshmallows, cookie pieces and remaining fruit and walnuts., Spread into prepared pan (pan will not be full). Sprinkle with reserved fruit and walnuts; press into candy coating. Let stand until set. Break or cut bark into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148 calories, Fat 7g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 22mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS
Fruitcake bars deliver the same great flavors of fruitcake with much less time and work.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h55m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 14
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
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE BARS
These are truly delicious! I make these every so often just because they are one of my favorite bars to make and eat! Great for the holidays but also any time, trust me! **Estimated Cook Time is just total time estimation from beginning to end.
Provided by Susan Cutler
Categories Cookies
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Heat oven to 350ºF. 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.
- 2. In medium bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the cherries, dates and pecans; stir into brown sugar mixture. Spread in pan.
- 3. Bake about 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE COOKIES
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine milk and baking soda and stir. Set aside. Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and mix lightly. Add 2 cups flour and mix until just combined. With mixer on low, pour in brandy until combined. Add nuts and combine. Sprinkle 1/2 cup additional flour over the chopped fruit. Toss to coat. Add fruit and any excess flour to mixing bowl Mix until just combined. *Batter will be very wet* Spray baking sheet with baking spray (or use baking mat.) Drop heaping tablespoons of batter, then bake for 20 minutes or until just golden brown. Do not overbrown! Mix glaze ingredients in a bowl, then spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of glaze over each warm cookie. Allow to cool. These cookies get better with age! (Well within reason.)
FESTIVE FRUITCAKE II
This is designed for people who don't like fruitcake. It is not as sweet or as dry. My husband hated fruitcake until he had mine.
Provided by Diane Mick
Categories Desserts Cakes Holiday Cake Recipes
Yield 14
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour bottom and sides of a 10 inch tube pan or Bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs and water. Stir in bread mix, chopped pecans, raisins, and candied fruit. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 75 to 85 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Loosen edges and remove from pan. Cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil and store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 465.1 calories, Carbohydrate 86.4 g, Cholesterol 26.6 mg, Fat 13.3 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 4.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 135.8 mg, Sugar 27.7 g
Tips:
- Use a variety of dried fruits. This will give your fruitcake a more complex flavor and texture. Some popular dried fruits to use include raisins, cranberries, cherries, apricots, and figs.
- Soak the dried fruits in alcohol before adding them to the cake batter. This will help to plump them up and give them a more intense flavor. You can use any type of alcohol you like, but rum, brandy, and whiskey are all good choices.
- Use a high-quality candied fruit. Candied fruit can add a delicious sweetness and chewiness to your fruitcake. Look for candied fruit that is made with real fruit and has a bright, vibrant color.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will make the cake tough. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the cake in a low oven. This will help to prevent the cake from drying out. Bake the cake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a cool, dark place. This will help to keep the cake moist and fresh. You can store the cake for up to 2 weeks at room temperature, or for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
Conclusion:
Fruitcake is a delicious and festive holiday treat. With a little planning and effort, you can make a fruitcake that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a special dessert to serve at your holiday gathering, give fruitcake a try. You might just be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
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