Spice Fruitcake

Spice Fruitcake Recipe with Nuts, Cherries, and Pineapple

| Servings: 12

Introduction

Spice fruitcake is a classic holiday dessert that is packed with nuts, candied fruits, and warm spices. This rich and flavorful cake is perfect for serving at festive gatherings or giving as a homemade gift.

History

Fruitcakes have been enjoyed for centuries, with variations of the recipe dating back to ancient Rome. The addition of spices like cinnamon and allspice became popular in the Middle Ages, and the tradition of serving fruitcake during the holidays spread throughout Europe and eventually to the United States.

Ingredients

1 cup Wesson oil
3 cups nuts
1.5 cups brown sugar
0.5 cup coconut (optional)
4 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups plain flour
2 tsp salt
1 lb (454 g) red candied cherries
2 tsp cinnamon
1.5 lb (680 g) green and yellow candied pineapple
2 tsp allspice
0.5 cup raisins
1 cup orange juice
3 cups nuts

How to prepare

In a bowl, mix together oil, sugar, and eggs.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with nuts and another cup of flour with fruit.
Blend the egg mixture with spices, juice, and the remaining flour.
Stir in the nuts.
Pour the batter over the fruit and mix well.
Pour the mixture into a tube pan lined with brown paper.
Bake at 275°F (135°C) for 2.5 to 3 hours or at 300°F (149°C) for 1 to 1.5 hours.
Place a pan of water on the bottom rack directly under the fruitcake pan.

Variations

Add a splash of rum or brandy to the batter for an extra boozy flavor.
Swap out the candied fruits for dried fruits like apricots, figs, or dates for a different twist on the classic recipe.
Experiment with different nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a unique flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to soak the fruit in orange juice before adding it to the batter. This will help keep the fruit moist and prevent it from becoming too dry during baking.

- To prevent the nuts from sinking to the bottom of the cake, toss them in a little bit of flour before adding them to the batter.

- For a more intense flavor, you can soak the nuts in rum or brandy overnight before adding them to the batter.

Serving Suggestions

Serve spice fruitcake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Cooking Techniques

Baking the fruitcake at a low temperature for a long period of time helps to ensure that it cooks evenly and stays moist.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have candied fruits on hand, you can use dried fruits instead. Just be sure to soak them in orange juice or another liquid to rehydrate them before adding them to the batter.

Make Ahead Tips

Spice fruitcake can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The flavors will continue to develop over time, making it even more delicious.

Presentation Ideas

Decorate the top of the fruitcake with a festive dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of icing for a beautiful finishing touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve spice fruitcake with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy and comforting treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover fruitcake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, simply warm individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of spice fruitcake contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of spice fruitcake contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of spice fruitcake contains approximately 20 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of spice fruitcake contains approximately 5 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Spice fruitcake is a good source of vitamin C from the candied fruits.

Alergens

This recipe contains nuts and eggs.

Summary

Spice fruitcake is a rich and indulgent dessert that is high in calories and fats. It is best enjoyed in moderation as a special treat during the holiday season.

Summary

Spice fruitcake is a timeless holiday dessert that is sure to delight your family and friends. With its rich flavors and hearty texture, this cake is a festive addition to any celebration. Enjoy a slice with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy and comforting treat.

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw this recipe for Spice Fruitcake. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl eager to learn the art of cooking from my grandmother. She was a wise and talented woman, with a vast collection of recipes that she had acquired over the years from various places and people.

One day, as I was helping her in the kitchen, she pulled out a worn and tattered recipe card from her collection. It was for Spice Fruitcake, a traditional holiday treat that she had learned to make from her own grandmother many years ago.

As she read through the ingredients and instructions, I watched in awe as she effortlessly measured and mixed the ingredients together. The kitchen filled with the warm and comforting aroma of spices as she added cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the batter. I could hardly contain my excitement as she poured the batter into the cake pan and placed it in the oven to bake.

While we waited for the cake to bake, my grandmother began to tell me the story of how she had learned to make Spice Fruitcake. She explained that the recipe had been passed down through generations of women in our family, each one adding their own special touch to make it uniquely their own.

She told me about the time when she was just a young girl like me, watching her own grandmother make the cake with such love and care. She remembered how the whole house would be filled with the tantalizing smell of spices, and how her grandmother would always save a slice for her to enjoy.

As the cake finished baking and we took it out of the oven, I could hardly wait to taste it. The warm and spicy aroma that filled the kitchen was intoxicating, and I knew that this cake would be something special.

When my grandmother finally cut a slice and handed it to me, I took a bite and was instantly transported back in time. The rich and flavorful cake was unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I could feel the love and tradition that had gone into making it.

From that day on, I knew that I wanted to learn how to make Spice Fruitcake just like my grandmother. I asked her to teach me all of her tips and tricks, and I diligently practiced until I could make the cake just as well as she could.

Over the years, I have continued to make Spice Fruitcake for my own family, passing down the tradition that my grandmother had taught me. Each time I bake it, I am reminded of the love and memories that are woven into every slice, and I am grateful for the gift that my grandmother gave me all those years ago.

As I sit here now, looking at the worn and tattered recipe card for Spice Fruitcake, I am filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. I am grateful for the lessons that my grandmother taught me, and for the memories that we created together in the kitchen.

I may have learned how to make Spice Fruitcake from a simple recipe card, but the true magic of this cake lies in the tradition and love that has been passed down through generations of women in my family. And for that, I will always be grateful.