Best 4 Mamas Poor Man Fruitcake Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the realm of holiday treats, few are as beloved as the classic fruitcake. With its dense texture, aromatic spices, and abundance of dried fruits and nuts, fruitcake has become synonymous with the holiday season. While the traditional fruitcake may be a bit too rich for some, there is a simpler version that is just as delicious: Mama's Poor Man Fruitcake. This humble cake requires just a few simple ingredients and can be easily prepared in a matter of minutes. The result is a moist, flavorful cake that is perfect for any occasion.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BOILED CAKE ( POOR MAN'S FRUITCAKE)



Boiled Cake ( Poor Man's Fruitcake) image

Make and share this Boiled Cake ( Poor Man's Fruitcake) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by CJAY8248

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 loaves, 24-30 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening (Crisco)
1 -2 lb raisins (and or 1 lb. diced dates)
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water (1/2 cup brandy can be used)
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup walnuts (coarsely chopped)

Steps:

  • Boil sugar, shortening, raisins, salt, and water (do not boil dates). Add dry ingredients, dates and walnuts to the boiled mixture. Bake at 325* in (2) 8"x8"x2" pans or in (1) 13"x9"x2" pan for 60-75 minutes. Allow to cool and divide into 4 "loaves". Wrap well and store. Serve sliced and plain or with hard sauce. This cake will stay moist for many months, but keeps best when moistened with rum or brandy.

POOR MANS CAKE III



Poor Mans Cake III image

This recipe if from the l930's. My Grandmother gave it to my Mother and she gave it to me. Now I am a grandmother and passed it down to my kids. It's really good. You don't have to dirty your mixer for this one, just a big bowl.

Provided by Jill D

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Fruitcake Recipes

Time 1h30m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups raisins
2 cups water
¾ cup shortening
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
  • In a saucepan mix brown sugar, raisins, water and shortening. Bring to a boil and boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. When raisin mixture is cool, add to dry ingredients and mix well to combine.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 or 40 minutes. Do not over bake or it will be too dry. Test after 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of cake should come out clean.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 186.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30.9 g, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 206.3 mg, Sugar 16.1 g

MRS. MAUS'S FRUITCAKE



Mrs. Maus's Fruitcake image

Growing up in Nutley, New Jersey, Martha used to help her neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Maus, who owned a bakery, make these delicious, buttery cakes filled with nuts and candied fruits. Read more about Martha's history with this dessert here.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Yield Makes five 6-inch cakes

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
12 large eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 pounds candied and dried fruits, such as citron, lemon peel, orange peel, sour cherries, apricots, and golden raisins, chopped, divided (12 cups)
2 pounds nuts, such as walnuts and pecans, coarsely chopped (8 cups)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground allspice
2/3 cup brandy, divided
Glaceed fruits, such as figs, oranges, pears, apricots, peaches, and pineapple, for garnish
Candied cherries and kumquats, for garnish
1 cup apricot jam

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 275 degrees. Butter five 6-by-2-inch round cake pans. Butter five strips of 18-by-3-inch parchment paper to form a collar for each pan.
  • Cream butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in molasses and 2 cups of candied fruit, blending well. Remove batter to a large bowl and add one-quarter of the nuts. Sift in flour and allspice 1 cup at a time, mixing well between additions. Add remaining candied fruit and nuts, stirring with a spoon. Divide batter evenly among pans; bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. While still warm, brush with 1/3 cup brandy mixed with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Let cool on wire rack.
  • Gently remove cakes from pans and remove paper collars. Decorate cakes with glaceed fruits and candied cherries and kumquats. Heat apricot jam and remaining 1/3 cup brandy in a small saucepan over medium heat. Strain and brush over fruits to hold in place.

NOT YOUR MAMA'S FRUITCAKE



Not Your Mama's Fruitcake image

A light and fluffy fruitcake that is not at all like those heavy citron filled loaves. Publised at www.7shadesofvegan.blogspot.com

Provided by johnfordfw

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 32 slices, 32 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

3/4 cup maraschino cherry, undrained
16 ounces prunes, in heavy syrup undrained
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
4 eggs (or equivalent amount of egg replacer)
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons whiskey
1 (15 ounce) box raisins
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
vegetable cooking spray

Steps:

  • Drain cherries, reserving 3 tablespoons juice. Cut in half. Drain prunes, reserving 6 tablespoons syrup. Pit prunes.
  • Cream sugar, shortening and eggs or egg substitute at medium speed of a mixer for two minutes. Stir in cherries, reserved cherry and prune juice, prunes, walnuts, whiskey, pineapple and raisins. Combine flour and dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture and stir well.
  • Spoon batter into a 10 inch tube or bundt pan coated with cooking oil spray. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick or wooden skewer comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack, remove from pan and let cool completely. Store in tightly wrapped plastic wrap. Slice and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 251.5, Fat 8.1, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 26.4, Sodium 126.3, Carbohydrate 43, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 23.8, Protein 3.8

Tips:

  • Choose ripe, high-quality fruit for the best flavor.
  • Chop the fruit into small pieces so that it cooks evenly.
  • Use a combination of different fruits to create a variety of flavors and textures.
  • Add spices and extracts to taste. Common spices used in fruitcake include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Popular extracts include vanilla, almond, and rum.
  • Soak the fruit in alcohol for several hours or overnight before adding it to the batter. This will help to plump the fruit and add flavor to the cake.
  • Use a sturdy baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking. A bundt pan or tube pan works well.
  • Bake the cake at a low temperature for a long time to ensure that it cooks through evenly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before serving. This will help it to set and develop its flavor.

Conclusion:

Mama's Poor Man Fruitcake is a delicious and economical dessert that is perfect for the holidays. With its moist texture, rich flavor, and variety of fruits, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics