Best 3 Dads Fruitcake Recipes
**Dad's Fruitcake: A Classic Holiday Treat**
Indulge in the rich tradition of Christmas baking with Dad's Fruitcake, a timeless classic that has been passed down through generations. This delectable cake is a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, featuring a moist, dense crumb studded with an array of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Whether you prefer a traditional or a boozy version, we have three irresistible recipes to satisfy your cravings. From the classic recipe that embodies the essence of homemade goodness to the whiskey-infused version that adds a touch of warmth and complexity, these fruitcakes are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday celebrations.
THE WORLD'S BEST FRUITCAKE
My dad started making this fruitcake about 30 years ago. Everyone who hates fruitcake likes this, and everyone who likes fruitcake LOVES this. Many people say this is the ONLY fruitcake they will eat. I hope you'll try this. Just follow the directions EXACTLY, and you'll have the most wonderful fruitcake ever!
Provided by CaramelPie
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 2 loaves, 48 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place coconut, dates, and pecan pieces in a very large (7 quart or larger) bowl. With your hands break up chunks of dates & coconut, and stir those 3 ingredients together.
- Add the cherries, pineapple, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir thoroughly. (I wear non-powdered surgical gloves, and stir it with my hands because the mixture is very stiff.).
- Let set at room temperature while you prepare the pans. Spray 2 - 9"x5" loaf pans with Pam. Line the pans with waxed (or parchment) paper. (We cut parchment paper in 4 1/4"x 16 1/4" and 8"x 12 1/2" strips for this. You want the paper to come up past the sides of the pans after the mixture is packed into the pans. It seems like a lot of work, but it's well worth the effort!) Now spray the paper (after you've pressed it into the pans) with Pam.
- Stir the ingredients well again.Divide the ingredients equally between the 2 loaf pans.
- Pack VERY TIGHTLY and smoothly into the pans. (I wet my hands & press, pack down, & smooth top, using both hands. Wetting your hands keeps them from sticking to "batter".).
- Place the pans on the middle rack of the oven and bake at 300 degrees F for 1 hour, or until lightly browned. (If the cakes have baked for an hour, or look a little brown around the edges, take them out of the oven & lift edges of paper a little to see if sides look brown enough. If they're brown on sides, but not on top, you may broil the tops for a few minutes-watch carefully.).
- Remove cakes from oven and let cool for 10 minutes in the pans.
- Gently lift the edges of the paper a couple of times on each side - kind of a rocking motion. Turn pans upside down onto a paper-lined cookie sheet. Lift pans from the cakes. Remove paper from bottom of cakes IMMEDIATELY.
- Let cool completely. Place in a large container (don't wrap yet) and refrigerate overnight.
- Turn cake upside down to slice. After slicing, wrap in waxed (or parchment) paper, then in heavy duty aluminum foil.
- May be refrigerated up to 3 months or frozen up to 1 year.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.4, Fat 11.2, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 5.6, Sodium 51.9, Carbohydrate 22.1, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 20.6, Protein 2.5
DAD'S FRUITCAKE
My mum would make one of these cakes every week so my dad could take a piece to work with him every day. In common with all fruitcakes, it tastes far better a week after making as it tends to be very dry for the first couple of days. The loaf tin is about 8x4 inches and about 2 inches deep. The amount of milk can be adjusted if the mixture seems a bit dry. Hmmm, my scribbled copy of the recipe calls for "enough fruit". This makes perfect sense to me, knowing how big a well the food mixer leaves in the centre of the dough but I'd be inclined to translate this as about 2 cups worth. I think that, once it's all mixed in, the mixture tends to look as though its about 60%dough and 40% fruit - but feel free to change this to your own taste.
Provided by Chef Hels
Categories Dessert
Time 1h35m
Yield 1 loaf
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put everything*except* the milk and the fruit in a food mixer and mix well for about 5 minutes- the mixture will be quite stiff.
- Add milk and mix well.
- Mix in fruit by hand.
- It's normally easier to add the fruit a little bit at a time.
- Bake in the top of a preheated oven at gas mark 4, 180 degC, 350 degF for about 1 1/4 hours.
- Check after 1 hour- if a knife poked into the cake comes out clean, the cake is fully cooked.
DAISY'S FRUITCAKE
I added pecans and candied fruits to an apple cake recipe for my Texan take on traditional English fruitcake. -Daisy Corene McHorse, San Saba, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h15m
Yield 3 loaves.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Line three 8x4-in. loaf pans with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. In a large bowl, combine apples, sugar and apple juice; let stand for 15 minutes. In a bowl, combine the eggs, oil and vanilla. Add to apple mixture; mix well. Combine the flour, apple pie spice, baking soda and salt; add to apple mixture and mix well. Fold in pecans, cherries and pineapple. Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Remove waxed paper. Cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 174 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 88mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.
Tips:
- To ensure the fruitcake stays moist, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in a cool, dry place for at least 2 weeks before serving, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Soak the dried fruits in rum, brandy, or orange juice overnight to plump them up and enhance their flavor before adding them to the cake batter.
- Use a combination of different types of dried fruits, such as raisins, currants, figs, and apricots, to add a variety of textures and flavors to the cake.
- If you don't have candied citrus peel on hand, you can make your own by simmering orange or lemon peel in simple syrup until it becomes translucent.
- To prevent the fruitcake from becoming too dense, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy before adding the eggs.
- Fold the dried fruits and nuts into the batter gently to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough.
- Bake the fruitcake in a low oven (275°F/135°C) for a long time (3-4 hours) to ensure it cooks evenly without burning.
- Once the cake is baked, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and storing it in a cool, dry place.
- Fruitcake can be stored for several months, making it a great gift for the holidays or other special occasions.
Conclusion:
Dad's Fruitcake is a classic holiday treat that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone who tries it. With its moist texture, rich flavor, and variety of dried fruits and nuts, this fruitcake is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or simply to enjoy with your family and friends, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
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