Bite-size fruitcakes are a Christmas classic, and they're even more delightful when they're homemade. These bite-size treats are packed with flavor, with a moist, dense crumb and a variety of candied fruits and nuts. They're perfect for gifting, serving at holiday parties, or enjoying as a special treat anytime.
This article features three different recipes for bite-size fruitcakes: a traditional recipe, a gluten-free recipe, and a vegan recipe. The traditional recipe is made with all the classic ingredients, including candied cherries, citron, orange peel, and raisins. The gluten-free recipe uses almond flour and oat flour instead of wheat flour, making it a great option for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The vegan recipe uses plant-based ingredients, such as flax eggs and coconut oil, making it a delicious option for vegans and non-vegans alike.
MINIATURE CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKES
I've found that people who normally won't eat fruitcake make an exception when they sample these. Using mini muffin pans for baking creates fun, single-serving cakes. -Libby Over, Phillipsburg, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 50m
Yield about 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine molasses and water; add raisins. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in candied fruit and vanilla. Cool., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 eggs at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and spices; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Add fruit mixture, mixing well. Fold in nuts., Fill paper-lined miniature muffin cups almost full. Bake at 325° for 22-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight containers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 18mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g 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.
LITTLE FRUITCAKE BITES
These little beauties are great to mix between your other Christmas cookies on a platter. They freeze well too. Put them in a tin with a tight fitting lid. Great for gifts. Put a dab of marzipan on top or decorate with a wee holly leaf etc.
Provided by Bergy
Categories Dessert
Time 35m
Yield 60 fruitcake bites
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Pour the rum over the raisins, cover with plastic wrap and marinate them for several hours or overnight Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time beat after each addition.
- In another bowl mix your dry ingredients (Flour, Baking soda, and spices).
- Stir the dry mixture into the butter& sugar.
- Stir in raisins/rum and milk.
- Stir in the fruit& nuts.
- Line miniature muffin tins with fancy Christmas paper liners or plain ones.
- Fill 3/4 full with the batter.
- Bake 10-15 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.
MINI FRUITCAKES
Fruitcake always looked so festive to me but I did not like the hard citron fruit so I came up with my own recipe using dried fruits and nuts. I place these in Christmas themed petit fours paper cups and give them to neighbors and friends along with the many other cookies and candies I bake. These keep well in the freezer in an airtight container. Just thaw to room temperature and they taste fresh baked and moist. -Lisa McDermith, Highland, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 2.5 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat over to 350°. In a small saucepan, heat sherry, sugar and margarine until sugar is dissolved. Cool. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl, beat egg and vanilla; stir into cooled sherry mixture until thoroughly combined. Add sherry mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened., In a large bowl, toss fruits and nuts to combine. Stir in batter. Fill 30 greased mini muffin cups with 1 tablespoon of mixture. Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pan 3-4 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 53mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and prevent any mishaps.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients you use, the better your fruitcakes will turn out. Look for ripe, juicy fruits and nuts, and use fresh spices and extracts.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the fruitcakes tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the fruitcakes at a low temperature: This will help prevent them from drying out. Bake the fruitcakes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the fruitcakes cool completely before frosting them: This will help the frosting set properly.
- Store the fruitcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks: You can also freeze the fruitcakes for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Bite-size fruitcakes are a delicious and festive holiday treat. They're perfect for gift-giving or serving at parties. With a little planning and effort, you can make delicious bite-size fruitcakes that your family and friends will love.
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