Grandma’s Fruitcake

Grandma’s Fruitcake recipe is so yummy. If you’re looking for an easy way to make this old fashioned marinated fruit bread, homemade this is it!

You could make this into a handheld easy muffin recipe as well. Those will bake faster but with the same flavors that will bring you right back to your childhood just the same.

Sometimes old fashioned means time intensive. That isn’t always true but many times I will agree that many times it is, that is why I appreciate these instructions. I would say the prep is about 15 minutes and then you can just pop it into the oven. Want to make this as gifts? You can double or triple it to share with friends too for sure.

What is candied fruit for fruitcake called?

Glace technically but most think it is just dried, it’s not. They are actually candied and preserved in a sugar syrup. Sold in small containers in the store you typically won’t find them marinated with alcohol but you can do this yourself if you’d like.

What is Fruit Cake made of?

All purpose flour is the base of your dry ingredients added to a large bowl, make sure you know how to measure flour properly so it doesn’t come out overly dense. Whisk in your baking soda.

Butter should be softened for best results so you can whisk in with other wet ingredients until smooth. A dairy free alternative would work just as well.

Eggs are best added when at room temperature if possible to this mix. I prefer organic and free range for the rich flavor.

Sugar should be mixed in with the butter until smooth. Use white granulated. I have not experimented with a sugar free alternative but imagine it would work great too.

You will want a container of fruitcake fruit. You can buy it already soaked and ready to go which is much faster than starting from scratch, that takes a lot longer.

Pecans are of course optional but traditionally found in every bite. If you were allergic or didn’t like this type you can certainly swap out for something else like chopped walnuts or roasted hazelnuts.

The ingredients and instructions below will make one 9×5″ size loaf pan. If you are batch cooking more than 1 just ensure that each batch is made in a different bowl so an equal amount of batter is added into each pan.

Tips

Just like baking any other type of sweet bread you want to whisk wet ingredients together in one bowl, and dry in another. Then incorporate the two and add the fruit and nuts at the end. You just want to fold those in so they don’t break all apart.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes, then loosen slides with a knife and slide out. Set that on your cooling rack to completely cool. Slice and serve.

How do you make fruit for fruit cake?

If you want to really make everything homemade you can!! You can do a sort of cheater way to make this; Dice up dried fruits you love, typically you would want cherries, orange peel, dried pineapple and apricots would work well Put into a bowl covered with either fruit juice or alcohol of your choice, brandy is a popular choice. Microwave for 1 minute. Leave in there or remove and let them sit in the bowl to soak up and soften up for 1 hour. Use a slotted spoon to remove. Then you are ready to use them!

How do you keep fruit from sinking in a fruit cake?

You would do the same thing as if you were baking with fruit. You don’t want to weigh these down but a very light coating of flour will do the trick. Toss to coat, lift out with a slotted spoon to allow the excess to fall off and then fold into your batter at the end. That way it won’t sink.

Can you make fruitcake muffins?

Yes!! If you do choose to make famous fruitcake muffins instead they would need to bake about 20 minutes or so. Use a toothpick inserted and take out right away once it isn’t wet in the middle. If a few crumbs are attached when you pull it out they are perfect. Take them out of the pan and let cool on a cooling rack when you take them out.

How do you freeze fruitcake?

Keeping the whole piece in tact will keep it as moist and tender as possible. Wrap each one separately in plastic wrap. Then either wrap again with foil or put into a gallon freezer bag and suck all the air out of that. Lay them flat in your freezer. Mark the date you baked it on the outside. It will last up to a year stored this way. Allow to come to room temperature on it’s own when you take it out and then enjoy Grandma’s fruitcake one slice at a time.

Other Christmas Brunch Items You’ll Love

We do have a few other things to add to your Christmas brunch items with Grandmas fruitcake. If you’re looking for something new to add to yours here are a few favorites:

Our German spice lebkuchen cookies recipe was made by Grandma too. These are a must once a year. Crinkle cookies are yummy and really pretty during the holidays too As a side dish goes, this ambrosia recipe is a family favorite too.