Best 3 Home For Christmas Fruit Bake Recipes

With the holiday season upon us, it's time to start thinking about festive dishes to enjoy with loved ones. A time-honored tradition for many families is the Christmas fruit bake, a delectable treat that combines sweet, juicy fruits with a crunchy topping. This classic dessert is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and bring family and friends together. From classic fruitcake to modern twists on this beloved dish, there are countless recipes to choose from, each offering a unique and delicious take on this Christmas staple.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HOME-FOR-CHRISTMAS FRUIT BAKE

Home-for-Christmas Fruit Bake image

Pop this special dish in the oven and mouths will water in anticipation- the cinnamony aroma is tantalizing! The fruit comes out tender and slightly tart, while the pecan halves add a delightful crunch. -Bonnie Baumgardner, Sylva, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Breakfast Brunch

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
1 can (29 ounces) peach halves, drained
1 can (29 ounces) pear halves, drained
1 jar (6 to 8 ounces) maraschino cherries
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325°. Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Arrange in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Drain pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup juice. Combine pineapple, peaches and pears; spoon over apples. Top with cherries and pecans; set aside. , In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and reserved pineapple juice. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted. Pour over fruit. Bake, uncovered, until apples are tender, about 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 21mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

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

Ingredients

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

THE ABSOLUTE BEST WHITE CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE

The Absolute Best White Christmas Fruitcake image

This is the most ultimate fruitcake you will ever bake, please don't be afraid of making a fruitcake it is not at all hard just a little time consuming, but well worth the effort! --- this will make one 9 x 5-inch loaf and two smaller 3 x 8-inch pans --- plan ahead the fruit needs to soak in the juice for 24 hours.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories Dessert

Time 2h25m

Yield 3 loaf cakes

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 cups butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar
8 egg yolks
1 teaspoon almond extract (or use 2 teaspoons vanilla)
2 ounces candied orange peel (or use a mixture of lemon and orange)
1 1/4 cups currants
3 cups golden raisins
1 1/2 cups candied maraschino cherries (chopped)
1 1/2 cups candied pineapple, finely chopped
2 cups chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds (or use 3-1/2 cups chopped pecans)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
8 egg whites, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

Place the orange peel, currants, raisins, cherries and chopped candied pineapple in a large bowl.
Pour the orange juice over the fruit and let sit for 24 hours, mixing/tossing a couple times during the 24 hours period.
Line bottom of one 9 x 5-inch AND two 3 x 8-inch loaf pans with parchment paper or two sheets of wax paper.
Set oven to 275 degrees.
Place a pan of cold water directly onto the bottom of your oven.
In a large bowl cream butter with confectioners sugar until very smooth.
Add in the egg yolks and almond or vanilla extract; beat until combined.
Stir in the soaked fruit and the juice along with nuts.
Using a wooden spoon stir in the flour.
In a clean dry bowl beat the egg whites until firm peaks form; fold into the batter.
Fill the large pan and the two smaller pans about two-thirds full.
Bake for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until golden brown, the smaller pans will take less time to bake (or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle).
Let cool in pans on a rack.
Remove cakes from pan; peel of parchment.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 3844.8, Fat 215.7, SaturatedFat 88.7, Cholesterol 828.8, Sodium 1083.2, Carbohydrate 457.5, Fiber 27, Sugar 308.5, Protein 56.1

Tips:

Mise en Place: As with any baking recipe, proper preparation is key to successful baking. Before starting, measure and gather all ingredients, including spices, extracts, fruits, and nuts. Preheating the oven and preparing the baking pan ahead of time will also make the baking process smoother.
Use Fresh and High-Quality Ingredients: Fresh fruits, nuts, and spices contribute to the vibrant flavor and texture of the fruit bake. Opt for seasonal fruits at their peak ripeness for optimal taste and texture.
Soak Dried Fruits: Soaking dried fruits in a liquid, such as fruit juice, tea, or alcohol, plumps them up, intensifies their flavors, and prevents them from becoming dry and chewy in the bake.
Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can develop gluten in the flour, resulting in a dense and tough fruit bake. Mix until just combined, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Don't Overbake: Keep a close eye on the baking time to prevent overbaking. The fruit bake should be golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Conclusion:

With its delightful combination of sweet fruits, crunchy nuts, and warm spices, the fruit bake is a quintessential holiday treat that brings warmth and cheer to any gathering. Whether you enjoy it as a cozy breakfast, a delightful dessert, or a thoughtful gift, this classic recipe promises to satisfy your taste buds and evoke fond memories of the festive season.