Best 5 Special Holiday Fruitcake Recipes

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Welcome dessert enthusiasts and home bakers to a delightful journey into the world of special holiday fruitcakes! As the holiday season approaches, we embark on a quest to find the most extraordinary and memorable fruitcake recipe that will be the highlight of your festive table. Indulge in the traditions of this classic Christmas treat passed down through generations while exploring creative variations and unique flavor combinations to suit every palate. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, let's embark on this sweet adventure together and discover the perfect fruitcake recipe that will make your holiday gathering truly special.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FRUITCAKE



Christmas Special Fruitcake image

I've made this quick and easy Christmas fruit cake many times during the past several years, giving it to family and friends for gifts. I also gave one to my doctor, and he claims it's the best he's ever tasted.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 2h

Yield 24 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups coarsely chopped Brazil nuts or other nuts (walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts)
1 pound pitted dates, coarsely chopped
1 cup halved maraschino cherries
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300°. In a large bowl, combine the nuts, dates and cherries. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; add to nut mixture, stirring until nuts and fruit are well coated. , In a small bowl, beat eggs until foamy; stir in vanilla. Fold into nut mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased parchment-lined 9x5-in. loaf pan. , Bake at 300° for 1-3/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 230 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 71mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SPECIAL HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE



Special Holiday Fruitcake image

"I got this recipe from my husband's aunt. Everyone likes it, even me, and I was never crazy about fruitcake before. It's very colorful, like a stained glass window." -JoAnn Huhn, Cleveland, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h25m

Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 packages (8 ounces each) pitted dates, chopped
1 pound chopped candied pineapple
1 pound red candied cherries
1/2 pound walnut halves
1/2 pound Brazil nuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash salt
4 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300°. Grease well and flour two 8x4-in. loaf pans. In a large bowl, combine dates, pineapple, cherries and nuts. In a small bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir into fruit mixture until well coated., In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks until slightly thickened. In another bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla until stiff peaks form. With a spatula, stir a fourth of the egg whites into egg yolk mixture until no white streaks remain. Fold in remaining egg whites until combined. Add to fruit mixture; gently fold until blended. Pour into prepared pans. , Bake 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 20 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Using a serrated knife, cut into slices.

Nutrition Facts :

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

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FRUITCAKE



Christmas Special Fruitcake image

Removing fruitcakes from their pans can be difficult unless the pan is lined with waxed paper. This is my favourite fruitcake. It is filled with 3 cups of nuts, dates and maraschino cherries. It does not contain any fat. I use dates from the health food store which are dry and delicious. This is not too sweet or cloying. I make it all the time. Don't wait until Christmas it is very easy and quick.

Provided by Olha7397

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups pecans or 3 cups hazelnuts
1 lb pitted dates, coarsely chopped (about 2 full cups)
1 cup halved maraschino cherry
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a mixing bowl, combine nuts, dates and cherries.
  • In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir into nut mixture until nuts and fruit are well coated.
  • Beat eggs until foamy; stir in vanilla.
  • Fold into nut mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased and waxed paper lined 9 inch by 5 inch by 3 inch loaf pan.
  • Bake at 300°F for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 24 servings. Cake will get softer overnight.
  • Country Cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.3, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 26.4, Sodium 65.8, Carbohydrate 25.7, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 18.7, Protein 4.2

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:

  • Use high-quality, fresh fruits for the best flavor. Dried fruits should be plump and moist, and nuts should be fresh and not rancid.
  • Soak dried fruits in alcohol or fruit juice before using to plump them up and add extra flavor.
  • Use a variety of spices to create a complex flavor profile. Common spices used in fruitcake include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense fruitcake.
  • Bake the fruitcake at a low temperature for a long time. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the fruitcake from becoming dry.
  • Let the fruitcake cool completely before storing it. This will help to prevent the fruitcake from crumbling.
  • Store the fruitcake in a cool, dry place. Fruitcake can be stored for several months, but it is best to eat it within a few weeks.

Conclusion:

Fruitcake is a classic holiday treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its rich, flavorful ingredients and long shelf life, fruitcake is a perfect gift for friends and family. Whether you are a fan of traditional fruitcake or prefer a more modern version, there is a recipe out there to suit your taste. So don't be afraid to experiment and find your favorite fruitcake recipe. With a little time and effort, you can create a delicious fruitcake that will be enjoyed by everyone.

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