Bakeless Fruit Cake
A rich, no-bake fruit cake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, perfect for festive occasions or as a decadent treat for fruit lovers.
Ingredients
- 2 c. chopped or miniature marshmallows ⓘ
- 2 c. cream ⓘ
- 1 lb. graham cracker crumbs
- 1 lb. pkg. dates ⓘ
- 1 lb. pkg. figs ⓘ
- 1 pkg. candied cherries ⓘ
- 1 lb. seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1 lb. English walnuts or pecans ⓘ
- 1 lb. chopped gum drops ⓘ
- 1 pkg. candied pineapple ⓘ
- 1 tsp. nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 tsp. allspice ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix marshmallows and cream; soak overnight.
- Mix half of the marshmallow and cream mixture with 1 pound of graham cracker crumbs.
- Mix the remaining marshmallow and cream mixture with all the rest of the ingredients.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using whipped cream instead of regular cream. You can substitute the nuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version. If you want more flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract to the marshmallow mixture. Soaking the marshmallows overnight is crucial for achieving the right consistency, ensuring they blend well with the other ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the bakeless fruit cake chilled or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon snack. For an impressive presentation, garnish with additional candied fruits or a dusting of powdered sugar. This cake also makes a great addition to holiday dessert spreads, complementing other treats like Irish Oatmeal Muffins.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits. If you want to serve it chilled, remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly, making it easier to slice.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bakeless Fruit Cake contains roughly 2984 calories, with 34g protein, 495g carbohydrates, and 109g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (166% of the Daily Value), iron (154% of the Daily Value), and calcium (76% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1036mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different fruits or nuts in this recipe?
Absolutely! This bakeless fruit cake is versatile; feel free to swap in your favorite dried fruits or nuts. For instance, apricots or almonds can be delightful alternatives. Just keep the overall quantities the same to maintain the cake's structure.
How do I know when the marshmallow mixture is ready?
The marshmallow and cream mixture is ready when it's fully combined and has a smooth consistency. Make sure to let it soak overnight, allowing the marshmallows to soften completely, which is essential for the best texture in your cake.
Is this dessert suitable for a gluten-free diet?
This recipe includes graham cracker crumbs, which typically contain gluten. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free graham cracker alternatives or crushed gluten-free cookies. Always check labels to ensure all ingredients meet your dietary needs.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).