Walnut spice fruitcake is a delicious and festive holiday treat, packed with the flavors of warm spices, candied fruits, and walnuts. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps of creating a perfect walnut spice fruitcake that will impress your family and friends. From selecting the finest ingredients to mastering the art of mixing, baking, and cooling, we'll cover all the essential techniques to ensure your fruitcake turns out moist, flavorful, and packed with holiday cheer. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a delightful journey of baking a classic walnut spice fruitcake.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SPICED RUM FRUITCAKE
This fruitcake not only can be made weeks ahead, it tastes better that way! You can substitute Brazil nuts, pecans and hazelnuts for the walnuts-or use a combination of nuts. -Jason Boor, Manchester, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h40m
Yield 1 loaf (16 slices).
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°. Line a 9x5-in. loaf pan with parchment, letting ends extend up sides of pan; grease and set aside., In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the walnuts, dates, cherries and mangoes; toss to coat. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar and 1/2 cup rum until blended; stir into fruit mixture. Transfer to prepared pan., Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes. Slowly pour remaining rum over cake. Cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool, dry place overnight. Cut with a serrated knife.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256 calories, Fat 11g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 96mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
THE BEST FRUITCAKE
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
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.
WALNUT SPICE FRUITCAKE
I'm really glad I tried this recipe, and you will be, too! I think it tastes like a cross between classic Christmas fruitcake and homemade spice cake.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h50m
Yield 12-16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the raisins, walnuts and cherries; set aside. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. , Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture alternatively with applesauce. Mix well. Stir in the raisin mixture. Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan; top with whole cherries and walnut halves. , Bake at 325° for 1-1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition Facts :
WALNUT SPICE COFFEE CAKE
The walnut-crumb topping and spiced cake make this the perfect partner for coffee or tea.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Combine the granulated and dark brown sugars, walnuts, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the butter and stir to make moist, coarse crumbs; set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line the bottom of an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper; butter the paper and the sides of the pan.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, pie spice and salt into a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with the sour cream in 2 parts, beginning and ending with the flour and mixing well between additions.
- Spread 2/3 of the batter in the prepared pan and sprinkle with half the crumbs. Top with the remaining batter and crumbs. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean and the top has browned, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Invert out of the pan and then turn crumb-side up to cool completely.
- Copyright 2016 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
SPICED FRUITCAKE BARS
Fruitcake bars are very forgiving. You can bake them months ahead, and substitute almost any fruit or nut you like for one you don't. Aim for a balance of tastes and textures, and test to see if your selections work together, just pop a small handful in your mouth.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes 4 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large nonreactive container (glass, ceramic, or plastic), combine dried fruits, honey, and Cognac; let macerate at room temperature 2 days or up to 2 weeks, covered with plastic wrap.
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Generously butter and flour two 8-inch square (or round) pans; tap out excess flour. Whisk to combine flour, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl. Stir in walnuts.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping down side of bowl as needed. Transfer to a large bowl. Using a flexible spatula, fold in flour-nut mixture and drained fruit mixture; stir to evenly distribute fruits and nuts.
- Divide batter between prepared pans; use an offset spatula to smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 2 to 2 1/4 hours. Transfer pans to wire rack to cool completely. Invert cakes onto racks to unmold. Invert again, top sides up. (Cakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 months.)
- Using a serrated knife, cut cake into thirds. Slice each third into 1-inch-thick slices. Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
GERMAN WALNUT RAISIN SPICE CAKE
The next time you have guests over for dessert and coffee you'll want to serve them this impressive and delicious triple-layered Walnut Raising Spice Cake. Each layer is flavored with cinnamon, studded with raisins and walnuts, and frosted with a rich cream cheese and butter frosting. Make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until your guests arrive. Then serve it with lots of hot coffee, or surprise everyone and make espresso or cappuccino. McCalls Cooking School
Provided by Olha7397
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F Grease and flour lightly THREE (8-by-1 1/2-inch) round layer cake pans.
- Chop raisins and 1 cup walnuts fine; place in a medium bowl.
- Add baking soda; then stir in boiling water.
- Let mixture cool 1/2 hour.
- Sift flour with cinnamon and salt.
- In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat 3/4 cup butter until creamy.
- Add sugar, a little at a time, beating until light and fluffy.
- Stop beater once or twice; scrape down side of bowl with rubber spatula.
- Add eggs and egg yolks, one at a time.
- Beat after each addition; scrape side of bowl with rubber spatula.
- Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla.
- With wooden spoon, beat in flour mixture, in fourths, alternately with nut mixture, in thirds; begin and end with flour mixture.
- Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Place in oven, leaving space between pans.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly pressed with fingertip and cake pulls away from edge.
- Cool on wire rack 5 minutes.
- With small spatula, loosen edge.
- Turn out on wire rack; turn top up; let cool completelyabout 1 hour.
- MAKE FROSTING: In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat cheese with butter and vanilla until creamy.
- Add the confectioners; sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
- Using 1 1/2 cups frosting, put layers together.
- Use rest of frosting to cover top and side of cake.
- With metal spatula, make decorative swirls in frosting; coarsely chop remaining walnuts; sprinkle around top.
- Refrigerate until serving.
- Makes 16 servings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 626.3, Fat 29.7, SaturatedFat 14.5, Cholesterol 105.7, Sodium 323.8, Carbohydrate 87.6, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 69, Protein 6.2
FRUIT SPICE CAKE ( NOT A CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE!!!)
This is a wonderful moist and rich cake. If you like to can peaches in the summer this is perfect for you. It is a good way to use up old bottled fruit. Requires no eggs!
Provided by mom_of_4
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Blend fruit with the juice in blender.
- In a large bowl add the fruit mixture to the oil and sugar and mix well.
- Add remaining ingredients and mix.
- Pour into 9X13 inch greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
- Frost with a butter cream frosting or with a cream cheese frosting. (Which is the one I recommend.).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 412.1, Fat 18.7, SaturatedFat 2.8, Sodium 614.8, Carbohydrate 57.5, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 25.2, Protein 4.3
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid any mishaps.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the flavor of your fruitcake.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the fruitcake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the fruitcake in a greased and floured pan: This will help prevent the fruitcake from sticking to the pan.
- Let the fruitcake cool completely before frosting it: This will help the frosting set properly.
- Store the fruitcake in a cool, dry place: Fruitcake can be stored for up to 3 months at room temperature or up to 1 year in the refrigerator.
Conclusion:
Walnut spice fruitcake is a delicious and festive holiday treat. With its rich, moist texture and sweet, nutty flavor, it's sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special dessert to serve at your holiday gathering, give this walnut spice fruitcake a try. You won't be disappointed!
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