Dee Dee'S Christmas Fruit Cake
Dee Dee's Christmas Fruit Cake offers rich, spiced flavors with candied fruits and cherries, perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving, aging beautifully over time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Wesson oil ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar, packed ⓘ
- 4 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons allspice ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon mace
- 1 cup pineapple, apple, or orange juice or bourbon or diluted brandy or rum ⓘ
- 1 cup additional sifted flour ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced citron and pineapple (candied)
- 2 cups whole candied cherries ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups seeded light and dark raisins ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine oil, dark brown sugar, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
- Sift 2 cups of all-purpose flour with baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and mace. Stir into the oil mixture alternately with juice or liquor.
- Mix the remaining 1 cup of sifted flour with sliced citron, pineapple, candied cherries, and raisins.
- Pour the batter over the fruit mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- Turn the mixture into two large greased loaf pans or a large angel food cake tin lined with wax paper.
- Place a pan of water on the lower oven rack. Bake at 275°F (135°C) for 2½ to 3 hours.
- After baking, let stand for 15 minutes before removing from pans.
- Cool thoroughly on racks.
- Glaze if desired.
- Remove paper from the cakes. Wrap in aluminum foil.
- Store in a cool place to ripen. For extra flavor, wrap in a damp cloth soaked in brandy or wine.
- Chill the cake in the refrigerator an hour or two before slicing.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavors of Dee Dee's Christmas Fruit Cake, consider soaking your dried fruits in bourbon or rum overnight before adding them to the batter. If you want a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce. Additionally, feel free to use your favorite mix of dried fruits; apricots or figs can add a delightful twist. For a festive touch, add chopped walnuts or pecans.
Serving Suggestions
This rich fruit cake is perfect for the holiday season and pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence. For a festive presentation, garnish with fresh cranberries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. It can also be enjoyed as part of a dessert platter alongside Chewy Homestead Brownies.
Storage & Reheating
Store the fruit cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil to keep it moist. It can be kept in a cool, dark place for several weeks, allowing the flavors to meld. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze the cake. If frozen, thaw it in the fridge before serving to maintain its texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dee Dee'S Christmas Fruit Cake contains roughly 559 calories, with 6g protein, 99g carbohydrates, and 20g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 934mg per serving (41% 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 fresh fruits instead of candied ones?
Using fresh fruits is not recommended, as they contain more moisture and can affect the cake's texture. Stick with candied fruits for the best results, but you can mix in some dried fruits if you'd like a variation.
How do I ensure my fruit cake is moist?
To keep your fruit cake moist, be sure to wrap it well after cooling and store it in a cool place. You can also brush it with additional liquor before wrapping to enhance moisture and flavor as it ripens.
Can I make this fruit cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making it several weeks in advance allows the flavors to develop further. Just be sure to store it properly and enjoy it within a few months for the best taste.
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).