Fruit cake is a type of dense cake made with candied or dried fruits, nuts, and spices, often called the Christmas cake. My grandmother loved making and giving her special fruit cake to friends at Christmas time. The dense and rich texture is packed with flavor and was definitely a favorite of generations past. Recent years have brought some lighthearted stereotypes about fruit cake, for being re-gifted, being too dense and heavy, and for having such a long shelf life that you could keep the same cake on hand for years. But really, if it’s made correctly, fruit cake can be a deliciously moist and flavorful treat for Christmas!
Ingredients in Fruit Cake
Yes, there are lots of little ingredients in this fruitcake recipe, but trust me, every chopped fruit and nut and every spice blends together to make a fragrant mixture that bakes up beautifully. Here’s what you need:
Dates – about three quarters of a cup, chopped. Golden raisins – one cup. You can chop them into smaller bits if you like. Find them in the grocery store next to the other dried fruits. Raisins – one cup, either whole or chopped. Dried Tart Cherries – three quarters of a cup, chopped. You can find them under the name candied cherries too. Maraschino cherries – one cup, drained and quartered Orange juice or apple juice – three quarter cup Flour – two cups, all purpose flour, sifted Baking soda – one teaspoon Baking powder – half a teaspoon Salt – half teaspoon kosher or table salt Homemade pumpkin pie spice – our homemade spice is easy to make and lasts forever! You’ll need just under two teaspoons for this recipe. Butter – one cube of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature Brown sugar – three quarter cup Egg – one whole, large egg Sour cream – half cup regular sour cream. The addition of sour cream is a tried and true secret ingredient I like to use in cakes like our nothing bundt cakes and breads to keep the moisture and add flavor. Sweetened dried orange slices – one third cup or any candied fruit you like. Candied ginger – two tablespoons, finely chopped Pecans and walnuts – half a cup, chopped Additional Fruits and Spices
If you like a little more fruit or spice, try adding any fruit mixture of these ingredients:
Currants Apricots Orange zest Lemon zest Cinnamon Nutmeg Cloves Candied orange peel or citrus peel
Non-Alcohol Fruit Cake Soak
Rum or brandy is often used to soak the dried fruits before adding them to the cake batter. The alcohol is used to enhance the overall taste of this dessert. However this is a non alcohol version that the whole family can enjoy! This fruit cake recipe uses orange juice or apple juice instead of the traditional brandy soak. It gives the cake a deep orange citrus flavor that complements the orange and other fruits in the cake perfectly.
Traditional Soaking Method
Soaking and Baking Instructions
Dried fruit can soak up the moisture in any baked good so be sure to follow the soaking instructions or you may end up with a dry Fruit Cake. Read More: 25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas
How to Make Fruit Cake
Christmas Popcorn Crunch Christmas Crack Candy Christmas Simmer Pot Chocolate Cherry Mice Christmas Candy Apple Wreath Creamy Chocolate Coconut Fudge Elf Cookies Peppermint Bark Andes Mint Cookies
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review. Rate and Review
