Best 6 Holiday Fruitcake Fruit Cake Recipes

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When the holiday season rolls around, many families and friends gather to celebrate with delicious treats. One of the most popular and beloved treats is fruitcake, a dense, moist cake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. With its complex flavor and rich texture, fruitcake is a true holiday classic. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, there are countless recipes to choose from, each offering a unique twist on this timeless treat. Dive into our guide to discover a world of fruitcake recipes, from traditional to modern, ensuring you create the perfect holiday fruitcake to delight your loved ones and make this festive season truly memorable.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HOLIDAY BOURBON FRUITCAKE



Holiday Bourbon Fruitcake image

Moist and tasty fruitcake is made with all types of candied fruit and nuts with a hint of orange and more than a hint of bourbon. It takes about three days to complete the process, but it is well worth the time and effort!

Provided by Cookin' Canuck

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Holiday Cake Recipes

Time P2DT4h5m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 30

1 cup chopped candied orange peel
1 cup chopped candied citron
1 cup chopped candied pineapple
1 cup halved red candied cherries
1 cup halved green candied cherries
1 cup dried currants
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup chopped almonds
½ cup orange juice
⅔ cup bourbon whiskey
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
6 egg yolks
¾ cup applesauce
½ cup bourbon whiskey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup molasses
6 egg whites

Steps:

  • On the first day, combine the candied orange peel, candied citron, candied pineapple, red and green candied cherries, currants, raisins, walnuts, and almonds. Combine the orange juice and the 2/3 cup bourbon; pour over the fruit and nuts. Stir and then cover tightly. Let the fruit marinate in a cool place for 1 full day, or at least 20 hours.
  • On the second day, line two 9x5 inch loaf pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil and grease the inside with cooking spray. Combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to blend.
  • In a separate large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Stir in the egg yolks until blended and then mix in the applesauce, the 1/2 cup bourbon, and vanilla until fluffy. Continue stirring, and add the the flour mixture gradually until well combined. Add the molasses and stir to combine. When the batter is thoroughly mixed, gently mix in the fruit and nut mixture with all of its juices.
  • In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites with an electric mixer until they can hold a stiff peak. Fold egg whites into the batter. Divide evenly between the prepared pans. Cover loosely with a towel and let the batter stand overnight in a cool, dry place.
  • On the third day, preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place a large baking pan on the bottom shelf and pour boiling water into it until almost full. Place a baking sheet on the center shelf and place the fruit cakes on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. Check the water level and refill if needed. Cover the cakes with a sheet of parchment paper, taking care not to let it touch the shelf. Continue to bake until a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour more. Cool fruitcakes in the pans, set over a wire rack. Once cool, remove the cakes from the pans, and leave the parchment paper on. Sprinkle with more bourbon if desired and wrap in aluminum foil. Place in a tin or other sealed container overnight before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 422.3 calories, Carbohydrate 64.9 g, Cholesterol 65.4 mg, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.6 g, Sodium 172.1 mg, Sugar 33.3 g

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE



Holiday Fruitcake image

This is my own fruitcake recipe and it's a family favorite. The mixture of fruits and nuts helps make it a tasty treat. -Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 2h20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1-1/2 cups whole red candied cherries
1-1/2 cups whole green candied cherries
3 cups diced candied pineapple
1 pound walnut halves
10 ounces golden raisins
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
5 large eggs
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300°. Combine fruit and nuts. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour over fruit and nuts; stir to coat. , Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place. Bring to room temperature before serving; slice with a serrated knife.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 686 calories, Fat 32g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 342mg sodium, Carbohydrate 92g carbohydrate (61g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

HOLIDAY WHITE FRUITCAKE



Holiday White Fruitcake image

Years ago, when I attended Koloa Missionary Church in Hawaii, a friend gave me this recipe. Now I whip up at least 60 loaves for the holidays. -Eileen Sokolowski Flatt, Chandler, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 loaves (16 piece each).

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (8 ounces) chopped mixed candied fruit
1-1/4 cups golden raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 275°. Line bottoms of four greased 9x5-in. loaf pans with parchment; grease parchment., In a small bowl, toss candied fruit, raisins and walnuts with 1/2 cup flour. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in remaining flour. Fold in fruit mixture., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 133 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 61mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE (FRUIT CAKE)



Holiday Fruitcake (Fruit Cake) image

Make and share this Holiday Fruitcake (Fruit Cake) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by gailanng

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h34m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

27 ounces none such classic original mincemeat
1 (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated)
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 (16 ounce) candied cherries (1-8 oz. red and 1-8 oz. green each)
1 (16 ounce) candied pineapple
2 cups walnut halves
1/2 lb chopped dates
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan.
  • Combine flour and baking soda; set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine mincemeat and sweetened condensed milk. Stir in beaten eggs then the fruit and walnuts. Add the flour/baking soda mixture and stir until combined.
  • Spoon batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake approximately 1 hour 20 minutes or until test in middle of cake comes out clean. (I cook to 1 hour 10 minutes then start testing every 10 minutes until cake tests for doneness. If it's over baked it will be dry, otherwise the cake will come out perfectly moist. Be diligent with your testing.).
  • Cool 15 minutes. Turn out of pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely. Cake may be cut into individual portions and wrapped in foil and frozen.
  • To make in loaf pans, spoon 3/4 full. Bake 300 degrees for 1 hour or until test in middle of cake comes out clean.

THE BEST FRUITCAKE



The Best Fruitcake image

Fruitcakes have become the punchline of many a holiday joke, but this recipe will give the notorious seasonal gift a whole new reputation. Filled with loads of real dried fruit and nuts along with brandy, warm spices and citrus, this cake tastes like the holidays. The recipe makes two loaves so you can gift one.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 14h30m

Yield 2 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1/2 cup dried currants
1 cup dried apricots, halved
1 cup dried figs, halved
1/2 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup whole pitted Medjool dates, halved
2 cups walnut halves
1 cup pecan halves
Finely grated zest of 2 small oranges
Finely grated zest of 2 small lemons
2 tablespoons chopped candied ginger
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch ground cloves
1 cup brandy, plus 2 tablespoons for brushing
1/4 cup orange liqueur
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
Nonstick cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups lightly packed dark brown sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Combine the raisins, currants, apricots, figs, prunes, dates, walnuts, pecans, orange zest, lemon zest, candied ginger, pumpkin pie spice and cloves in a large bowl and toss to combine. Add 1 cup of the brandy, orange liqueur and molasses and stir to coat. Cover and set aside to macerate overnight. (Alternatively, cover the bowl and microwave 2 minutes, or until very hot. Leave covered and let sit until almost all the liquid has been absorbed into the fruit and nuts, about 2 hours.)
  • Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and line each with 2 pieces of parchment, one lengthwise and one crosswise, leaving a 2-inch overhang on each side. Spray the parchment with cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over the soaked fruit mixture and toss to coat. Whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
  • Cream the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to medium-low and beat in the flour mixture until the batter is blended and smooth. Pour the batter over the fruit mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until all the fruit is coated in batter.
  • Divide the mixture evenly between the two prepared pans, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake until the cakes begin to pull away from the sides of the pans, the tops spring back slightly when pressed and a cake tester comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons brandy. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove each cake from its pan using the parchment overhang and place on the rack to cool completely.
  • To store, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic and then foil. The wrapped fruitcakes can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

FESTIVE FRUITCAKE I



Festive Fruitcake I image

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

12 cups raisins
3 cups dried currants
2 pounds candied mixed fruit
1 pound candied cherries
1 (16 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
1 ¼ cups dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
12 egg yolks
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons cocoa
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 cup orange juice
4 cups whole or chopped walnuts
12 egg whites

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

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, high-quality fruits and nuts for your fruitcake. This will ensure that your cake has the best flavor and texture.
  • Soak the fruits and nuts in alcohol for at least 24 hours before using. This will help to plump up the fruits and nuts and give them a richer flavor.
  • Use a variety of fruits and nuts in your fruitcake. This will help to create a more complex and interesting flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the cake tough.
  • Bake the fruitcake in a slow oven. This will help to prevent the cake from drying out.
  • Wrap the fruitcake in plastic wrap and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before serving. This will allow the flavors to develop and mellow.

Conclusion:

Fruitcake is a delicious and festive holiday treat. It is a great way to use up leftover fruits and nuts, and it can be made ahead of time. With a little planning and effort, you can make a fruitcake that will be enjoyed by your family and friends for years to come.

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