Best 8 Easy Light Fruitcake Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of a classic treat with a modern twist: our light and fluffy fruitcake. This reimagined version offers a delightful balance between traditional fruitcake richness and a refreshing lightness. Unlike dense, heavy fruitcakes, ours boasts a delicate, airy texture that's sure to delight your taste buds.

Dive into a symphony of flavors as you bite into this exquisite cake. Sweet and tangy dried fruits, candied citrus peels, and aromatic spices dance harmoniously on your palate, creating a joyous celebration of flavors. The secret lies in our carefully curated selection of fruits and spices, each contributing its unique character to this culinary masterpiece.

Our recipe collection features a variety of enticing fruitcake variations, each offering a distinctive flavor profile. From the classic combination of raisins, currants, and cherries to the tropical allure of pineapple and coconut, there's a perfect fruitcake for every palate. And for those who prefer a boozy twist, we've included a delightful rum-soaked version that adds an extra layer of indulgence.

Additionally, we've included a gluten-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring that everyone can savor the goodness of our light fruitcake. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, our recipes guide you through the process of creating this timeless treat with ease.

So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones enwrapped in the warmth and comfort of our extraordinary light fruitcake.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CASSANDRA'S "LIGHT" FRUITCAKE RECIPE



Cassandra's

This bourbon-doused fruitcake is sure to turn the taste buds of even the most skeptical holiday guest. This family recipe was a childhood tradition that lived on through Cassandra King after her mother passed-but just slightly askew-until her daddy let her in on the secret touch she was missing: "Every time your mama wasn't looking, I'd sneak into the closet and pour more whiskey over those cakes." If that's not a true Southern tale, we don't know what is.

Provided by Cassandra King

Categories     Cakes

Time 4h40m

Yield Serves 16-20

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups chopped mixed dried fruit (such as cherries, apricots, dates, prunes, and apples)
1 cup chopped dried candied pineapple
1/2 cup currants
1/4 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger (or more to taste)
1 1/2 cups brandy or bourbon, divided
1 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups pecans, chopped
Cheesecloth

Steps:

  • Combine the mixed dried fruit (including pineapple and currants) and crystallized ginger in a large bowl. Stir together with 1 cup brandy or bourbon; cover and set the mixture aside for 2 hours to infuse the dried fruit.
  • Preheat the oven to 325˚F. Grease a tube pan with cooking spray. Meanwhile, cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl, and beat in eggs 1 at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a large wooden spoon or spatula, stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until thoroughly combined (do not beat with a mixer).
  • Stir in the soaked fruit mixture and chopped pecans. The mixture will be thick.
  • Scrape the mixture into the prepared tube pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the fruitcake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 45 minutes.
  • Soak a layer of cheesecloth in enough brandy or bourbon to thoroughly moisten (about 1/2 cup). Wrap the fruitcake in the cheesecloth, and then wrap it in aluminum foil. Set aside to rest for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to soak in.

MOIST LIGHT FRUIT CAKE (THE BEST EVER)!



Moist Light Fruit Cake (the Best Ever)! image

This light mixed fruit cake recipe is all you ever need for an easy, moist and lightly fruited cake, perfect for Christmas and even weddings!

Provided by Priya Maha

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h35m

Number Of Ingredients 17

250 g plain flour
240 g brown sugar
275 g butter (at room temperature)
4 eggs (at room temperature)
85 g raisins
85 g sultanas
40 g ground almond
60 g glace cherries
60 g mixed peel
30 g candied ginger
1 ⅓ tbsp molasses (optional)
½ tsp mixed spices
⅛ tsp baking powder
⅓ tsp lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ tbsp orange juice
⅛ tsp salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 160 °Celsius. Grease and line cake tin with parchment paper and wrap the tin with 2 layers of brown paper or baking strips.
  • Chop the fruits if you like them chopped and mix with ground almond. Leave aside.
  • In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in all essences, lemon juice, and molasses and mix well.
  • Gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients alternately with orange juice. Mix until flour is well incorporated in the batter.
  • Add the mixed fruits into the batter and mix well.
  • Pour batter into a greased and lined cake tin and bake for about 2 hours and 10 minutes on the lowest rack.
  • Remove cake from the oven and let it rest in the tin for 10 minutes. Remove cake from tin and let it cool completely.
  • Once completely cooled, wrap it neatly in parchment paper, followed by cling wrap and foil and store in a cool, dry place for 1 week before icing or cutting the cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5347 kcal, Carbohydrate 711 g, Protein 65 g, Fat 263 g, SaturatedFat 149 g, Cholesterol 1246 mg, Sodium 2745 mg, Fiber 22 g, Sugar 406 g, ServingSize 1 serving

GRANDMA BETTIE'S LIGHT FRUIT CAKE



Grandma Bettie's Light Fruit Cake image

An easy light fruit cake that my mother made most years. Try substituting fruits that you like! To me it's the taste and smell of Christmas.

Provided by Leanne Mentz

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Cherry Dessert Recipes

Time P14DT1h45m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups candied cherries
1 cup raisins
1 cup blanched almonds
1 cup dried pineapple pieces
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups butter
6 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line two loaf pans with parchment paper.
  • Coat cherries, raisins, almonds, and pineapple with 1 cup flour.
  • Beat sugar, butter, and eggs together until creamy. Sift remaining flour with baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture; stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Fold in the fruit and almond mixture. Spoon batter into the prepared pans and spread evenly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Wrap cakes tightly and let age in a cool place for 2 to 4 weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 429.2 calories, Carbohydrate 59.4 g, Cholesterol 92.4 mg, Fat 19.4 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 187.2 mg, Sugar 33.2 g

QUICK AND EASY BRITISH FRUITCAKE



Quick and Easy British Fruitcake image

A quick and easy fruit cake for tea time that tastes best fresh out of the oven. You can use any mixed dried fruit you like, including cherries. [Recipe originally submitted to Allrecipes.co.uk]

Provided by Tessaann

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     UK and Ireland     English

Time 1h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ¾ cups self-rising flour
½ cup unsalted butter
1 ¼ cups dried mixed fruit
½ cup white sugar
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice
5 tablespoons milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, or as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 6-inch round cake pan.
  • Place flour in a bowl. Rub butter into the flour until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Add mixed fruit, 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, and mixed spice. Stir to combine. Add milk and egg and mix until batter is soft and easy to drop.
  • Drop batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle light brown sugar on top and pat down with the back of a spoon.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.6 calories, Carbohydrate 56.1 g, Cholesterol 54.5 mg, Fat 12.7 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 367.6 mg, Sugar 17.9 g

EASY-PEASY FRUITCAKE



Easy-peasy fruitcake image

Try this lighter version of a classic Christmas fruitcake, bursting with festive spice and juicy fruit. Decorate with candied fruit and glacé cherries

Provided by Lulu Grimes

Categories     Afternoon tea, Dessert, Treat

Time 3h30m

Yield Serves 14-16

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 tbsp rum or brandy
1 orange , zested and juiced
600g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, apricots, cherries, cranberries)
200g butter , very soft
200g golden caster sugar
4 eggs
50g ground almonds
200g plain flour
100g pecan nuts or whole skinned almonds, chopped
100g candied peel , chopped
75g crystallised or candied ginger , chopped
apricot jam (warmed and sieved) or apricot glaze
candied pineapple , candied angelica, glacé cherries (a mixture of red, green and yellow if you can find them), crystallised ginger

Steps:

  • Put the rum (or brandy), orange zest and juice and mixed dried fruit in a bowl and stir. Leave to soak overnight.
  • Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3½. Double line a 20cm tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whisk in the eggs one by one, then fold in the almonds and flour. Add a pinch of salt and fold in the soaked fruit mixture (and any remaining liquid in the bowl), along with the nuts, candied peel and ginger. Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface.
  • Bake for 1 hr, then turn the oven down to 150C/130C fan/gas 2 and bake for a further 2 hrs. Check the cake to see if it's pulling away from the sides of the tin and feels firm on top. If you need to, keep cooking for a further 15 mins. Cool in the tin. If storing in the tin, wrap the cake tightly first. Will freeze for up to two months.
  • To decorate, brush the cake with the apricot jam (or glaze) and arrange your choice of candied fruit on top. Will keep in a sealed container for up to three weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 55 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 44 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.4 milligram of sodium

QUICK FRUITCAKE



Quick Fruitcake image

This fruitcake recipe is very easy to make through use of prepared mincemeat and mixed candied fruit for a quick Christmas-time classic.

Provided by Linda C.

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Fruitcake Recipes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 (28 ounce) jar prepared mincemeat pie filling
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups candied mixed fruit

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Butter cake pans, and line with wax paper. Butter the wax paper.
  • Sift the flour with the baking soda.
  • In a large bowl, combine eggs, mincemeat, condensed milk, fruit, and nuts. Fold in dry ingredients. Pour into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 2 hours, or until center springs back and top is golden brown. Cool. Turn cakes out onto wire rack; remove wax paper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 262.4 calories, Carbohydrate 50.4 g, Cholesterol 21.1 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 209.6 mg, Sugar 21.8 g

BEST EVER FRUIT CAKE



Best Ever Fruit Cake image

This is an absolute delicious fruit cake!

Provided by watty018

Time 2h20m

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

175 grams Demerera Sugar
150 grams Sultanas
125 grams Currants
150 grams Seedless Raisins
300 ml Water
73 grams Glace Cherries, quartered
125 grams Butter or Margarine plus pinch of salt
1 Egg beaten
275 grams Self Raising Flour, sieved
50 grams Blanched Almonds (optional)

Steps:

  • Put the sugar, sultanas, currants, raisins, water, cherries, butter or margarine, salt into a saucepan, bringing it to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes
  • Pour into a mixing bowl and allow to cool. Pre heat the oven to 170 degrees / Gas Mark 3
  • Grease and line with grease proof paper a 20 cm round cake tin
  • Add the egg to the cooled fruit mixture and stir in well. Add the flour and mix well
  • Turn into the prepared cake tin, smooth the top and arrange optional almonds on the top.
  • Bake for 1.25 - 1.50 hours until risen and golden brown. Cool slightly before turning out. The cake improves with keeping.

HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE



Holiday Fruitcake image

This is my own fruitcake recipe and it's a family favorite. The mixture of fruits and nuts helps make it a tasty treat. -Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 2h20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1-1/2 cups whole red candied cherries
1-1/2 cups whole green candied cherries
3 cups diced candied pineapple
1 pound walnut halves
10 ounces golden raisins
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
5 large eggs
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300°. Combine fruit and nuts. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour over fruit and nuts; stir to coat. , Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place. Bring to room temperature before serving; slice with a serrated knife.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 686 calories, Fat 32g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 342mg sodium, Carbohydrate 92g carbohydrate (61g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients and tools you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Use fresh fruit: The fresher the fruit, the better the fruitcake will taste. If you can, use seasonal fruit that is at its peak of ripeness.
  • Chop the fruit evenly: This will help ensure that the fruit is evenly distributed throughout the fruitcake.
  • Do not overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the fruitcake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the fruitcake in a low oven: This will help prevent the fruitcake from drying out.
  • Let the fruitcake cool completely before frosting it: This will help prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

This easy light fruitcake is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, flavorful fruit, and creamy frosting, this fruitcake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give this easy light fruitcake a try.

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