Dark Fruitcake
Dark fruitcake is a rich, dense dessert packed with a medley of candied fruits, nuts, and warm spices. Its deep flavors make it perfect for festive occasions or as a sweet gift, offering a chewy, moist texture with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses that appeal to fruitcake lovers and holiday enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter ⓘ
- 3 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 16 ounces diced mixed candied fruits and peels ⓘ
- 1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup orange juice
- 8 ounces pitted, whole dates ⓘ
- 8 ounces whole red or green candied cherries ⓘ
- 15 ounces raisins
- 1 cup slivered almonds ⓘ
- 1 cup pecan halves ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple ⓘ
Instructions
- Grease 3 (8 x 4 x 2-inch) loaf pans or 2 (10 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans.
- Line the bottom and sides of the pans with brown paper to prevent overbrowning, then grease the paper.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and allow it to cool.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add the mixed candied fruits and peels, dates, cherries, raisins, almonds, pecans, and pineapple. Mix until well coated.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until foamy.
- Add the brown sugar, orange juice, molasses, and melted butter to the eggs and beat until blended.
- Stir the egg mixture into the fruit and nut mixture until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on wire racks.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
1101
kcal
55% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
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).