She Strengthens

Warm Spices and Rich Flavors: A Classic Fruitcake Recipe

When it comes to festive treats, few can rival the rich flavors and aromas of a well-crafted fruitcake. Our take on this classic dessert is packed with warm spices, nuts, sweet dried fruit, dark molasses, and a hint of brandy.

The Perfect Balance

What sets our fruitcake apart is the perfect balance of butter and molasses, ensuring that it ages beautifully without becoming too dense or overpowering. The result is a moist, flavorful cake that’s perfect for enjoying fresh or after a few weeks of maturation.

Key Ingredients

To make this recipe truly shine, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Start by making your own candied citrus zest, swapping out grapefruit peel for orange for a unique twist. Be sure to choose a high-quality, dark molasses for the best flavor. And don’t even think about using that artificial, Day-Glo fruit found in tubs – it’s a flavor and texture nightmare!

Aging to Perfection

While our fruitcake is delicious fresh out of the oven, it’s truly exceptional after a few weeks of aging. We found that the flavor reaches its peak at around six weeks, but feel free to experiment and find your own perfect aging time.

The Recipe

Yield: 2 (9-inch) loaves
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 2 hrs 55 mins, plus aging time (optional)
Active Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 6 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup dark molasses (not blackstrap)
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest (from 3 to 4 lemons)
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 2 cups dried, unsulfured apricots, coarsely chopped
• 2 cups almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups golden raisins, also known as sultanas
• 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup candied orange zest, coarsely chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F and prepare two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans with butter and flour.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to aerate.
3. Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer until pale yellow and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, followed by molasses and lemon zest.
5. Mix in flour mixture, brandy, and remaining ingredients until just combined.
6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
7. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before removing from the pan.
8. To age, brush each cake with 1/4 cup brandy and bury in 4 pounds of powdered sugar for up to 4 months.

Enjoy Your Delicious Fruitcake!

Whether you’re a fruitcake aficionado or just looking for a new holiday treat, this recipe is sure to impress. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, it’s the perfect addition to any festive gathering. So go ahead, give it a try, and experience the rich, warm flavors of a classic fruitcake!