Best 8 Grandmas Prized Blue Ribbon Fruit Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless tradition of Grandma's prized blue-ribbon fruit cake, a culinary masterpiece that has captured hearts and taste buds for generations. This delectable cake is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring a moist and dense crumb studded with an array of candied fruits, nuts, and spices. The secret to its irresistible charm lies in the careful selection of ingredients, the meticulous preparation, and the love and care poured into every step of the baking process.

As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll discover a collection of recipes that pay homage to Grandma's original creation while also offering unique variations to suit every palate. From the classic fruit cake adorned with a glistening glaze to the decadent chocolate fruit cake infused with rich cocoa, there's a recipe here for every occasion and every taste preference.

Each recipe is meticulously crafted, providing detailed instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the baking process. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you'll find the guidance and inspiration you need to create a fruit cake that will become a cherished family tradition.

So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to embark on a delightful baking adventure. With Grandma's prized blue-ribbon fruit cake recipes as your guide, you'll create a masterpiece that will earn you rave reviews and blue ribbons of your own.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GRANDMA'S FRUITCAKE



Grandma's Fruitcake image

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

Provided by The Typical Mom

Categories     Breakfast     Dessert

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 stick butter (softened)
1 3/4 c sugar
3 eggs
2 c all purpose flour
1 c pecans (chopped)
1 lb fruitcake fruit
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Steps:

  • You will use one 9x5" loaf pan for this. Spray inside with non stick spray lightly and shake some flour in while patting it around so it slides out nicely when done. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  • In a bowl whisk sugar, eggs, vanilla together and then add softened butter and whisk until smooth.
  • In another bowl whisk together dry ingredients. Then slowly incorporate this into your butter, wet, mixture.
  • Gently fold in fruit and pecans so it is incorporated nicely. Then pour batter into your pan and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 oz, Calories 330 kcal, Carbohydrate 46 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 15 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 61 mg, Sodium 181 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 30 g, UnsaturatedFat 8 g

GRANDMA BETTY'S FAMILY FRUIT CAKE



GRANDMA BETTY'S FAMILY FRUIT CAKE image

This recipe was passed down through the years and given to me by my Grandmother, Elizabeth Lydiard. We called her Grandma Betty. She passed away in 2001. She would have been thrilled to see it here on Just a Pinch. I have no idea how old this recipe is but my Grandmother was born in 1910. My mother and I perfected the mixing...

Provided by Deborah Gonzalez

Categories     Cakes

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c sugar
5 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp almond extract
1 lb pitted dates
1/2 lb whole red cherries / candied
1/2 lb whole green cherries / candied
1/2 lb pineapple pieces / candied
3 c whole walnuts

Steps:

  • 1. Oven should be preheated to 250 (yes that is correct - 250) and cooking time is 2 hours (yes, 2 hours). Prep time is about 30 minutes. You will need 5-6 Mini Loaf Pans approximately 5" x 3" in size, I used 6.
  • 2. Bowl #1 - Mix flour, baking powder and sugar, SET ASIDE
  • 3. Bowl #2 - Mix Eggs, Vanilla extract and Almond extract together, SET ASIDE
  • 4. Bowl #3 - Mix Dates, Cherries (RED AND GREEN), Pineapple (get the largest pieces you can find, not whole but not the bits either) and Nuts together, SET ASIDE. (note: I have also used Pecans - either or both are excellent) NOTE #1: BE SURE to SET ASIDE 3 CHERRIES for EACH mini Pan to go ON TOP of each cake before cooking. NOTE #2: I do not add all the syrup from the candied fruit, I do my best to remove the candied fruit from the containers leaving behind the goo. I do not rinse the fruit.
  • 5. Follow this order for easiest blending of above ingredients - Mix Bowl #1 and Bowl #2 together. Be sure to get a creamy, no lumps remaining, smooth consistency. I use a large spatula to achieve best blend.
  • 6. REMINDER: BEFORE YOU FOLD BOWL #3 into the BATTER created by BOWL #1 & BOWL #2 - BE SURE to set aside three cherries for each fruit cake to put on top of each mini loaf before they go in the oven. THEN, fold ingredients of Bowl #3 into your above blended batter.
  • 7. Spray your individual mini loaf pans (as seen in photo) with a cooking spray of your choice.
  • 8. Scoop out enough batter to fill each tin. Do not over fill. This recipe will fill 6 individual mini tins nicely. NOW - ADD THE SET ASIDE CHERRIES to the top of your loaf pan now filled with the completed batter to accent your creation.
  • 9. Place the tins on a large cookie sheet (for easiest in and out placement to oven) AND BAKE - 250 slow oven for 2 hours.
  • 10. When finished, remove from oven and let cook on wire rack.
  • 11. I leave the fruit cake in the pans, and then put the pretty little Fruit Cakes in a fancy clear food type gift bag or wrap in clear plastic wrap and add a bow so everyone can see your delicious treat when you present it to them.

KENTUCKY BLUE RIBBON ALL-BUTTER POUND CAKE



Kentucky Blue Ribbon All-Butter Pound Cake image

This is the recipe my Grandmother would make every year during the holidays. I found the recipe tucked in her Bible when she passed, and it was written in her Grandmother's handwriting. It's been in my family for at least 7 generations, and in 2012, I won a Blue Ribbon at the Kentucky State fair by following her exact instructions. Tastes like pure love!

Provided by Taylor Piercefield

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Pound Cake Recipes

Time 1h50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups butter, softened
5 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a tube pan with some butter and dust lightly with flour.
  • Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk. Mix in vanilla extract. Pour batter into the prepared tube pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 551.9 calories, Carbohydrate 75.1 g, Cholesterol 140.1 mg, Fat 25.8 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 6.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.5 g, Sodium 339.1 mg, Sugar 51.2 g

GRANDMA'S PRIZED BLUE RIBBON FRUIT CAKE



Grandma's Prized Blue Ribbon Fruit Cake image

Grandma Little was a wedding cake maker and did so until the age of 76. I have been entrusted with her handwritten recipe collection. In it I have found her personal fruitcake recipe (dated 1940) and believed to be her mother's recipe. This cake has won countless awards and was used for every wedding cake made (over 400). I share this with you and in so doing remember Grandma Little, a woderful woman who loved baking as much as I do. She is dearly missed, with this recipe, her memory lives on in my home.

Provided by cookingpompom

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h20m

Yield 2 cakes

Number Of Ingredients 19

12 ounces mixed peel
16 ounces glace cherries
8 ounces walnuts, chopped
8 ounces almonds, chopped
16 ounces pitted dates
8 ounces crushed pineapple, well drained
16 ounces raisins
16 ounces butter
6 ounces sugar
1 cup honey
10 eggs
3 1/2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup rum

Steps:

  • Chop all the dried fruit and nuts. Place in a bowl and set aside.
  • Cream the butter, sugar and honey.
  • Mix the rum, orange juice and eggsin a bowl.
  • Add the wet ingredients alternatley with the sifted dried ingredients. Stiring well after each addition.
  • Add the fruit and nuts. Stir well to combine.
  • Pour into two 9 inch round cake tins or one large 30xm square tin, greased and well lined up to the rim(s).
  • Bake at 130oC for 4 hours, turning once.
  • Cool in tin.

GRANDMA'S FRUIT CAKE



Grandma's fruit cake image

My grandma has made this for very many years for Thanksgiving & Christmas. The past 2 years she has passed it on to me. I really enjoy making it and watching my husband devour it almost as soon as it's done.

Provided by Stephanie Douglas

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 eggs
1 c sugar
2 c all purpose flour
2 stick butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp lemon extract
2 tsp orange extract
1 lb candied fruit
5 c pecans, halved

Steps:

  • 1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 300
  • 2. MIX EGGS, SUGAR, FLOUR, BUTTER, & ALL EXTRACTS VERY GOOD.
  • 3. THEN ADD FRUIT & PECANS
  • 4. POUR IN A GREASED BUNDT PAN

GRANDMA LEONE'S FRUIT CAKE



Grandma Leone's Fruit Cake image

Don't get this cake confused with the traditional fruit cake. It is so much more. This recipe has been handed down for 3 generations and I now want to share it with all of you. Don't get nervous with all the ingredients. Everything gets hand-mixed in 1 great big bowl.

Provided by Debbie Ries

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Holiday Cake Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 cups water
1 ½ cups raisins
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 pound pecan halves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups canola oil
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups candied fruit

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8x8-inch baking pans.
  • Bring water and raisins to a boil in a saucepan; cook until raisins are plump, about 2 minutes. Drain and cool raisins; reserve raisin water.
  • Mix 3 cups flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Place pecans and 2 tablespoons flour in a resealable plastic bag; close and shake bag until pecans are coated. Pour pecans into a colander and shake off excess flour.
  • Whisk sugar, oil, eggs, and cooled raisin water together in a bowl; fold in candied fruit. Stir flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, into sugar mixture until fully incorporated; fold in raisins and pecans. Fill the prepared pans a little over half full.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Lower temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C); bake until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 more hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 620.5 calories, Carbohydrate 77.7 g, Cholesterol 37.2 mg, Fat 34.5 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 5.8 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 465.4 mg, Sugar 28.4 g

BLUE RIBBON BANANA CAKE



Blue Ribbon Banana Cake image

This won 1st place in the cakes division at the Mayfest festival. I've made it a couple of times and it is soooo good!! If you let the cake set with the frosting on it for a little while the frosting gets hard and crunchy, i love it that way!!

Provided by Courtly

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

3/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts (any kind you want)
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup light cream
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Beat eggs, add sugar, butter, bananas, buttermilk, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, nuts, coconut and flour.
  • Mix all together and bake in two 9 x 9 inch round pans at 350 for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
  • Cool.
  • For Icing:.
  • Mix together all ingredients and cook until thickened.
  • Pour on cake while frosting is still warm.

BLUE-RIBBON APPLE PIE



Blue-Ribbon Apple Pie image

This pie is special to me because I won a blue ribbon for it at the local fair and was able to compete at the state farm show. -Collette Gaugler, Fogelsville, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

Pastry for double-crust pie
WALNUT LAYER:
3/4 cup ground walnuts
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons lightly beaten egg
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon 2% milk
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
FILLING:
6 cups sliced peeled tart apples (4-5 medium)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, cubed
TOPPING:
1 teaspoon 2% milk
2 teaspoons sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust even with rim., In a small bowl, mix walnut layer ingredients until blended. Spread onto bottom of crust. Refrigerate while preparing filling., For filling, in a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and vanilla. In a small bowl, mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add to apple mixture and toss to coat., Pour filling over walnut layer; dot with butter. Roll remaining dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle. Place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edge. Brush top with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Cut slits in crust., Place pie on a baking sheet. Bake 55-65 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cover edge loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes if needed to prevent overbrowning. Remove foil. Cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 611 calories, Fat 36g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 31mg cholesterol, Sodium 234mg sodium, Carbohydrate 67g carbohydrate (33g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, ripe fruit, good-quality nuts, and spices will make a big difference in the flavor of your fruit cake.
  • Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the cake, making it lighter and more tender.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the cake from curdling.
  • Fold in the dry ingredients gradually, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can toughen the cake.
  • Soak the fruit in alcohol for at least 24 hours before using. This will help to plump the fruit and add flavor to the cake.
  • Bake the cake in a slow oven for a long time. This will help to prevent the cake from drying out and burning.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting and the cake from crumbling.

Conclusion:

Grandma's Prized Blue Ribbon Fruit Cake is a delicious and festive holiday treat. With its moist, flavorful crumb, rich frosting, and beautiful decoration, it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special dessert to serve, try this classic recipe.

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