Best 10 Carolyns Ice Box Fruitcake Recipes

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In the realm of holiday baking, few treats are as iconic as the fruitcake. With its dense, chewy texture and vibrant medley of candied fruits, nuts, and spices, this classic confection is a beloved tradition for many families. However, the prospect of making a fruitcake from scratch can often seem daunting, requiring hours of preparation and a laundry list of ingredients. Carolyn's Ice Box Fruitcake offers a delightful solution, promising all the flavors and textures of a traditional fruitcake without the hassle. This innovative recipe streamlines the process by utilizing simple ingredients and a clever "ice box" method, allowing the cake to meld and mature in the refrigerator rather than requiring hours of baking. The result is a moist, flavorful fruitcake that is sure to impress your friends and family. Along with the classic Ice Box Fruitcake, this article also features a delectable array of fruitcake variations, each with its unique twist on the classic recipe. From the decadent Chocolate Fruitcake, bursting with rich chocolate flavor, to the nutty goodness of the Praline Fruitcake, there's a fruitcake here to satisfy every craving. And for those who prefer a boozy treat, the Tipsy Fruitcake, infused with rum and brandy, is sure to hit the spot. With its combination of convenience, flavor, and variety, Carolyn's Ice Box Fruitcake and its accompanying recipes are a must-try for any home baker looking to add a touch of holiday cheer to their kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MAMA'S ICEBOX FRUITCAKE RECIPE



Mama's Icebox Fruitcake Recipe image

My mother made one of these Icebox Fruitcakes almost every year for us at Christmas. Prepare the dry ingredients first, then melt the marshmallows with milk. Stir everything together, press into a dish and refrigerate overnight. It's easy.

Provided by Steve Gordon

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ lb. Pecans, chopped
½ lb. English Walnuts, chopped
½ lb. Brazil Nuts, chopped
½ lb. Raisins, chopped
1 10z bag Miniature Marshmallows
½ lb. Graham Crackers, crushed
1 can Evaporated Milk, 12 ounce
½ cup Sweetened Flake Coconut
½ cup Maraschino Cherries with juice, chopped

Steps:

  • Prepare all the dry ingredients ahead of time as directed.
  • Chop the pecans, walnuts, brazil nuts, and raisins as needed.
  • Crush or chop the graham crackers.
  • Chop the maraschino cherries, saving the juice. Set aside for now.
  • Place the chopped nuts in a large mixing pan.
  • Add the chopped graham crackers.
  • Add the coconut.
  • Mix dry ingredients together to fully combine.
  • Place the marshmallows in a medium size sauce pot.
  • Add the milk.
  • Place the pot over Medium Low heat on your stove top.
  • Constantly stir this mixture until the marshmallows are fully melted.
  • Pour the marshmallow mixture over the crushed nuts and graham crackers.
  • Add the chopped cherries with juice.
  • Mix well, until fully combined.
  • Lightly butter a 9 x 13 x 2 casserole type dish or pan.
  • Place the mixture in the dish, spread evenly and press firmly.
  • Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Enjoy!

ICE BOX FRUITCAKE



Ice Box Fruitcake image

I don't know if this is a regional dish or what ... but NO ONE I talk to seems to have ever heard of it except the people in my family... and most people act like it's sooooo ODD ... but it's really yummy and it's really simple common ingredients ...

Provided by Elaine Harper

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Cherry Dessert Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped raisins
1 (4 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers, crushed

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, raisins, walnuts, cherries, condensed milk and vanilla wafers. Dough will be very thick, you will need to use your hands.
  • Form dough into a ring shape on top of a dinner plate. Wrap in many layers of plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil. Allow to age in the refrigerator for at least a week. The flavors will have a chance to blend and all of the milk will be absorbed into the cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.2 g, Cholesterol 9.5 mg, Fat 18.2 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 110.5 mg, Sugar 22.7 g

ICE BOX FRUITCAKE II



Ice Box Fruitcake II image

Make and share this Ice Box Fruitcake II recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Kim19068

Categories     Dessert

Time P1DT45m

Yield 1 batch

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 cups pecans, chopped
8 large marshmallows
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) box vanilla wafers, crushed
1 cup coconut
10 candied cherries, chopped
1/8 lb candied pineapple, if desired
1/8 lb raisins, chopped, if desired
wine, if desired

Steps:

  • Combined crushed wafers, coconut, chopped cherries, pecans and pineapple and place in large bowl. Mix well. Also add raisins, if desired.
  • Melt marshmallows in top of double boiler.
  • Add milk to melted marshmallows and mix well.
  • Remove from heat and pour onto wafer mixture. Mix well.
  • If desired, pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of any good sweet wine - scuppernong, blackberry, pear, etc. When cool enough to handle, form into "logs" and wrap in waxed paper.
  • Chill at least 24 hours before serving -- the longer the chilling, the better.
  • Serving Suggestions Slice into 1/2" slices and arrange on small platter.
  • Best served cold.
  • Can be made 2 weeks in advance.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 6234.5, Fat 391.2, SaturatedFat 107.5, Cholesterol 135, Sodium 1683.2, Carbohydrate 660.8, Fiber 55.1, Sugar 346.8, Protein 84.8

ICE BOX FRUITCAKE



Ice Box Fruitcake image

This recipe is a no bake recipe and you may use different fruits in the recipe. if you plan on making this fruit cake for an occassion note that it has to set for 48 hours in the refrigerator before serving. it is absolutly wonderful.

Provided by camrynsgrammie

Categories     Dessert

Time P4D

Yield 24 SLICES, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

48 marshmallows
3/4 lb butter
1 quart walnuts
1 lb dates
2 cups raisins or 2 cups craisins
1 lb candied cherry
6 pineapple slices
16 graham crackers

Steps:

  • Melt butter and marshmallows together. crush graham crackers or use crumbs. chop and mix all dryed fruits and nuts together. mix together with hands. pack in greased pan. best to use loaf pans so you can slice them in nice slices. let refrigerate for 48 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 453.9, Fat 24.9, SaturatedFat 8.6, Cholesterol 30.5, Sodium 142, Carbohydrate 59.7, Fiber 4, Sugar 46.4, Protein 4.7

ICEBOX FRUITCAKE RECIPE - (3.6/5)



Icebox Fruitcake Recipe - (3.6/5) image

Provided by msippigrl

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (14.4 oz) box graham crackers or honey graham crackers (I used honey)
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup halved candied red cherries
1/2 cup chopped dried or candied pineapple
1/2 cup chopped dates (or dark raisins)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup coarsely broken walnuts
1 cup coarsely broken pecans

Steps:

  • Chop everything that needs chopping; put the cherries, pineapple, and dates in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the fruit and lightly toss together to unstick the fruit. Coarsely break nuts into a separate bowl. Set aside. Coarsely break apart the graham crackers then pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs. (I did this in 3 batches). Pour crumbs into a large mixing bowl; add cinnamon and the sweetened condensed milk. Using a spoon or your hands, combine to form a stiff dough. Add remaining ingredients and knead them into the dough using your hands. Dump the mixture out onto a piece of Saran plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Firmly shape into a log about 3-4 inches in diameter. Roll up tightly and place in the freezer for about an hour before removing the wrap. To serve, cut into 1/2-inch slices with a sharp knife and arrange on a serving plate. Store covered in the refrigerator.

CAROLYN'S CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE



Carolyn's Christmas Fruitcake image

This is an old recipe that my mother-in-law has made every Christmas for many, many years. I have no idea where the recipe originally came from but I can tell you that if you hate fruit cake, there's a good chance that you'll love this one. It doesn't have the orange peel and other ingredients that can give fruitcakes a bitter...

Provided by Elaine Bovender

Categories     Cakes

Time 2h45m

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 c sugar
6 large eggs
1/2 lb butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
3 c all purpose flour
1 lb candied pineapple
1/2 lb candied red cherries
1/2 lb candied green cherries
1 lb golden raisins
1/2 lb chopped pecans
1/2 lb grated coconut
juice from 1 orange

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Grease and flour or coat a 10" tube pan with cooking spray, set aside.
  • 2. Mix together sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla until mixed well. Combine flour and salt. Add to sugar/egg mixture and mix thoroughly by hand, DO NOT use a mixer at this point!
  • 3. Using your hands, mix in candied fruits, nuts, coconut and orange juice. When mixed spread into tube pan. Bake 2 1/2 hours. At 2 hours, check with a tooth pick. Cake is done when tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan.

BIG EARL'S EASY ICEBOX FRUITCAKE



BIG EARL'S EASY ICEBOX FRUITCAKE image

This is a very easy and good fruitcake with no baking. As with most of my recipes I invite you to add your own touch to it and modify it any way you want for you and your family. My grandkids, who normally quickly turn down fruitcake, come back for seconds on this one. My momma got the original recipe off the side of a box of...

Provided by Earl Williams

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pkg graham crackers (16 ounce each)
1 stick margarine or butter
2 1/2 c pecans, chopped (note !)
1 pkg small marshmellows (16 ounces)
12 oz red maraschino cherries (note 1)
12 oz green maraschino cherries (note 1)
32 oz mixed candied fruit coarsely chopped
2 can(s) sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces each)
1 c bourbon (optional note 2)

Steps:

  • 1. Line two 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing wrap to hang over edges 3 or 4 inches.
  • 2. In a large bowl, finely crush the graham crackers, then add the red and green cherries, candied fruit, and pecans.
  • 3. Melt butter in a double boiler. Cool slightly. Add sweetened condensed milk, marshmallows, and bourbon (or wine), stir well. Pour this over the crackers and fruit. Mix well. The mixture should be very thick and moistened thoroughly. Pack mixture tightly into the lined pan making sure no air bubbles are trapped in the loaf. Garnish top with pecan and cherry halves. Cover tightly with the plastic wrap.
  • 4. Allow to age in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 weeks or longer (the longer the better the flavor). The flavors will have a chance to blend and all of the liquids will be absorbed into the cake. I have keep them in the refrigerator for over two years and enjoyed a slice of fruitcake every once in a while all year long. After they have molded to the shape of the loaf pan (3 to 4 weeks) they may be removed from the pans for long term storage.
  • 5. Note 1: I use a 32 ounce (2 pound) container of mixed candied fruit. I hold out enough of the red and green maraschino cherries (cut in half) and pecan halves to garnish the top of the fruitcakes, the rest of the cherries and pecans are cut up in the cake.
  • 6. Note 2: 2 cup sweet wine (grape, blackberry or any flavor you desire) may be substituted for the bourbon or they both may be left completely out.

ICEBOX FRUITCAKE (NO BAKING REQUIRED!)



Icebox Fruitcake (no Baking Required!) image

Don't turn your nose up at this one! I don't even know why it is called fruitcake really! My ENTIRE family hates fruitcake in any way, shape, or form - this is one that we all LOVE!

Provided by Lorri in Wyoming

Categories     Dessert

Time P1DT10m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 cups pecans
1 (15 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 lb candied cherry
1/2 lb candied pineapple
1 (6 ounce) can flaked coconut
1 (12 ounce) box vanilla wafers
1 cup seedless raisin

Steps:

  • Chop pecans, cherries and pineapple and mix together.
  • Mash wafers and mix with above ingredients.
  • Add sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
  • Press into large loaf pan and put into icebox for at least 24 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 723.7, Fat 39.4, SaturatedFat 9.6, Cholesterol 12.1, Sodium 206.4, Carbohydrate 92.1, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 64.5, Protein 8.3

ICE BOX FRUITCAKE



Ice Box Fruitcake image

My stepmother made this fruitcake when I was a girl (that was a long,long time ago!)And I asked her if she would send me the recipe some years ago. So the recipe you see if from her to me. She is still living at age 93.

Provided by Shirley Makekau

Categories     Fruit Desserts

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb graham crackers
1 box seedless raisins
1 pkg dates
1/2 lb candied cherries
1/4 lb candied pineapple
1 lb mixed fruit
1 qt shelled pecans or walnuts
3/4 lb marshmallows
1/2 stick butter (oleo)
1 can(s) eagle brand milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp mace

Steps:

  • 1. Crush graham crackers very fine( in those days I used graham crackers but today I would use 1 pound graham cracker crumbs.
  • 2. Chop and combine fruits and nuts
  • 3. Heat butter, Eagle brand milk and marshmallows until marshmallows melt
  • 4. Mix graham cracker crumbs with fruit and nuts, add spices and combine with Eagle Brand milk and marshmallow mixture. Mix well and pack in pan that has been lined with plastic wrap or cheese cloth. The mixture will be very sticky and I used my hands to mix as soon as the hot mixture cooled enough. Cake will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator Also in those days plastic wrap was not avaiable. Note: my step mom would wrap the fruit cake in the cheesecloth and then pour some brandy over it. I mix a little brandy extract in while mixing the whole thing together. This fruit cake tastes just like "Claxton Fruit Cake" if you've ever had any.

CAROLYN'S ICE BOX FRUITCAKE



Carolyn's Ice Box Fruitcake image

This is my family's favorite fruitcake. Even people who don't care for fruitcake seem to like this one. The chill time is included in the cook time. ***NOTE*** Vegetarians should use vegetarian marshmallows.

Provided by Mysterygirl

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h10m

Yield 1 loaf, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups chopped pecans
16 ounces graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut
1/4 cup candied cherry, chopped
1/4 cup candied pineapple, chopped
8 large marshmallows or 8 large vegetarian marshmallows
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Steps:

  • Combined graham cracker crumbs, coconut, cherries, pecans and pineapple in large bowl.
  • Mix well.
  • Mix marshmallows& milk in top of a double boiler.
  • Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted.
  • Pour over dry mixture and stir till well blended.
  • Line loaf pan with foil.
  • Press fruit cake mixture into pan forming a loaf.
  • Chill for at least 3-4 hours.
  • Slice and enjoy.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of fruits. This will make your fruitcake more colorful and flavorful. Some good choices include cherries, raisins, dates, figs, and apricots.
  • Chop the fruits into small pieces. This will help them distribute evenly throughout the cake.
  • Soak the fruits in alcohol. This will help preserve them and add flavor to the cake. You can use any type of alcohol you like, but rum, brandy, or sherry are good choices.
  • Use a good quality cake mix. This will help ensure that your cake is moist and flavorful.
  • Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake according to the package directions.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly.
  • Store the cake in a cool, dry place. It will keep for up to two weeks.

Conclusion:

Carolyn's Ice Box Fruitcake is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, flavorful fruits, and creamy frosting, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give Carolyn's Ice Box Fruitcake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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