Best 4 Rich Dark Fruitcake Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless tradition of Christmas with our exquisite Rich Dark Fruitcake, a delectable confection bursting with an orchestra of flavors and textures. This culinary masterpiece is a labor of love, crafted with a symphony of dried fruits, aromatic spices, and a hint of citrus zest, all harmoniously blended within a moist, tender crumb. With three variations - a classic version steeped in rum, an elegant almond-infused rendition, and a gluten-free adaptation for those with dietary preferences - this recipe offers a taste of indulgence for every palate. Embark on a journey of culinary delight as we guide you through the steps of creating this festive treat, ensuring that your Christmas table is adorned with a centerpiece that will leave your guests marveling at its richness and complexity.

Let's cook with our recipes!

RICH DARK FRUITCAKE 1970



Rich Dark Fruitcake 1970 image

This looks long but is simple...it's the best tasting fruitcake I have ever had and made. It originally came from Edith Adam's Homemakers Magazine in 1970.

Provided by andypandy

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h25m

Yield 4 cakes

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 lb salted butter
2 cups white sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
6 ounces grape jelly (Welches)
1 ounce melted unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 medium beaten egg yolks
1 medium orange, juice of
1 cup grape juice (Welches, OR 1/2 cup grape juice and 1/2 cup rum)
1/2 lb blanched slivered almond
1 lb pecan halves
3 lbs washed seedless raisins
1 lb washed sultana raisin
1 lb candied chopped pineapple
1 lb candied red cherries or 1 lb chopped cherries
1 lb green glazed cherries or 1 lb chopped cherries
1 lb candied citron peel, cut fine
12 medium egg whites, beaten stiff

Steps:

  • Baking times and pan sizes-- 4 x 4 pan takes 1 1/2 hours 6 x 6 pan takes 3 hours 8 x 8 pan takes 4 1/2 hours Preheat oven 275 degrees F.
  • Line cake pan set plus one extra with three layers brown greased paper.
  • Grease sides next to the batter.
  • Place a small dish of water in bottom of oven for steam and moisture.
  • Test by touching finger in centre of cake, if no dent press harder.
  • Cake should be firm to touch or slightly springy.
  • Method: Prepare almonds, soak overnight in the orange juice.
  • Prepare fruit, and soak overnight in the grape juice, sprinkle a little flour over the fruit.
  • Next Day-- cream butter at room temperature but not too soft.
  • Add white sugar gradually creaming until no grains are felt between fingertips.
  • Beat in the beaten egg yolks.
  • Blend well.
  • ALL STEPS MUST BE FOLLOWED AS GIVEN TO PREVENT BUTTER FROM OOZING OUT DURING BAKING.
  • Stir in the grape jelly and the melted cooled chocolate.
  • Blend in the flour, and baking powder.
  • Add the fruits in small amounts at a time, mixing well.
  • Add almonds, and pecans.
  • Fold in lastly the stiff beaten egg whites-- Pour into prepared pans and bake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 5681.6, Fat 223.4, SaturatedFat 74.8, Cholesterol 742, Sodium 1504.3, Carbohydrate 924.1, Fiber 45.5, Sugar 695.7, Protein 71.6

DARK RICH FRUITCAKE



Dark Rich Fruitcake image

This is a dark cake with spots of colour from the glace cherries. This recipe has been in the family for about 100 years now, and may be what you are looking for!

Provided by Frank Butcher

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h30m

Yield 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 24

2 lbs dark raisins
1 lb raisins, seeded
2 lbs glace cherries
1 lb mixed glace fruit
1 lb mixed peel
1 lb almonds, halved
1/2 lb dates, chopped
1 lb glace pineapple rings, sliced into strips
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg
2 teaspoons allspice
1 teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon clove
1 orange, juice and rind of
1 lemon, juice and rind of
1/2 cup rum (light or dark, depending on the flavour you prefer)
1 lb butter
2 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed (dark, golden will suffice)
12 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
1 cup coffee, strong, cold

Steps:

  • Day One -Wash and scald raisins to plump.
  • Drain and dry well.
  • Place all fruit and almonds into a large bowl.
  • Sprinkle spices over fruit and add the lemon and orange rind and juice. Stir in the rum and let stand overnight, stirring occasionally.
  • Day Two -Cream butter.
  • Gradually add sugar, bea ting well after each addition.
  • Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Add flavourings.
  • Add 1 cup of flour to fruit and nut mixture. Toss to coat well.
  • Add remaining flour alternately with cold coffee to the creamed mixture. Stir in fruit mixture. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  • Fold into batter.
  • Pour batter into 3 pans which have been lined with two thicknesses of brown paper and the top layer greased and dusted with flour.
  • (We used tube/funnel pans.) Bake at 275F for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours or until a cake tester comes out clean from the centre. Cool cakes completely in the pans on cake racks.
  • Remove from pans and peel off paper.
  • Wrap cakes in cheesecloth (moistened with rum); then in foil.
  • Keep in a cool place for four to six weeks to allow the flavours to join.
  • NOTES: Grandma used to open the foils and re-moisten the cheesecloth at least once in the ripening process.
  • (By drizzling in about 2 Tbsp rum There is note of timings for different fruit cake pans.
  • (I think originally the recipe would make one each of the 4, 6 and 8 inch pans.) 4x4 - 2 1/2 hours 6x6 - 3 hours 8x8 - 3 1/2 hours or until tests clean - in a 2750F Oven.

RICH DARK FRUITCAKE



Rich Dark Fruitcake image

This is my mother's very old recipe, at least 60 years old. My mother baked this for my wedding, and it sure is delicious and also a great Christmas cake. This is a very long recipe, but well worth the trouble. You can substitute a cup of drained maraschino cherries for the candied cherries, if you like.

Provided by Carol

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Wedding Cake Recipes

Time 6h

Yield 40

Number Of Ingredients 24

6 cups golden raisins
3 cups dried currants
1 ½ cups pitted dates
6 cups raisins
1 pound candied mixed citrus peel
½ pound candied cherries
2 cups almonds
2 cups butter
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground allspice
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract
2 cups white sugar
12 egg yolks
½ cup molasses
12 egg whites
½ cup grape juice
½ cup strong brewed coffee

Steps:

  • Wash and dry the raisins and the currants. Wash, dry, pit, and chop the dates. Chop the raisins and the citrus peel. Slice the cherries. Blanch the almonds, and slice them lengthwise. Combine fruits and nuts in large bowl.
  • Grease and line 3 standard Christmas cake pans (these round pans are at least 3 inches deep and come in a set of three sizes- 5, 7, and 9 inch across) with 4 layers of heavy waxed paper, or 3 layers of brown paper. Grease again. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices onto a piece of waxed paper. Remove 1 cup of this flour mixture, and combine with fruit and nuts. Mix until fruit is well coated.
  • Cream the butter until fluffy. Add extracts. Gradually add sugar, mixing until creamy. Beat egg yolks until light and lemon-colored, and beat into the butter mixture. Stir in the molasses, and beat together well. Add half of the remaining flour mixture, and blend thoroughly.
  • Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; fold into batter. Stir in lightly the remaining flour mixture alternately with grape juice and coffee. Add floured fruit and nuts, blending in until fruit is well distributed.
  • Turn batter into prepared cake tins, filling each about 2/3 full and spreading batter evenly. Bake in center of oven. Bake small cake 2 1/2 hours, medium cake 3 1/2 hours, and large cake 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Remove from oven and allow to stand 5 minutes, then turn out on wire rack to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.3 calories, Carbohydrate 79.6 g, Cholesterol 85.9 mg, Fat 14.5 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 6.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 176.8 mg, Sugar 39.7 g

ANN'S RICH DARK FRUITCAKE



ANN'S RICH DARK FRUITCAKE image

Categories     Cake     Fruit     Nut     Bake     Christmas

Yield 6 cakes

Number Of Ingredients 18

3/4 cup butter
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 tsp. double acting baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsps. cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 pound candied chopped fruit
1/2 cup candied pineapple, in thin wedges
1/2 pound whole candied cherries
1 pound raisins
1 1/4 cup dates, large pieces
2 cup pecans or almonds
4 eggs
1 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup brandy
1/4 cup table molasses

Steps:

  • Melt butter, cool. Sift dry ingredients together into bowl. Add fruit and nuts, mixing to coat with dry mixture. Beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add brown sugar, beating until well combined. Blend in liquid, molasses and cooled melted butter. Add to flour fruit mixture; stir until well combined. Prepare 1 (10 inch) tube pan, 2 (9x5x3 inch) loaf pans, 2 (6 inch) round pans - grease well and line with parchment paper. Turn batter into pans, filling 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake in slow oven, 275 degrees, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Cool thoroughly before removing from pans.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of dried fruits and nuts, such as raisins, currants, dates, figs, walnuts, pecans, and almonds, to add flavor and texture to your fruitcake.
  • Soak the dried fruits in a mixture of tea, brandy, or orange juice to plump them up and add extra flavor.
  • Use a dark, strong-flavored beer or stout in the batter to add depth of flavor.
  • Add a little bit of spice, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger, to enhance the flavors of the fruitcake.
  • Bake the fruitcake at a low temperature for a long time to ensure that it cooks evenly and doesn't dry out.
  • Wrap the fruitcake in cheesecloth or parchment paper and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before eating to allow the flavors to develop.

Conclusion:

Rich, dark fruitcake is a classic holiday treat that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone who tries it. With its moist, dense texture and variety of flavors, this fruitcake is a perfect way to celebrate the season. So, gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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