Deluxe Old-Fashioned Fruitcake
A rich, festive fruitcake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, perfect for holiday celebrations and special occasions, offering a moist, flavorful treat.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 1/3 cups sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 cup orange juice ⓘ
- 1 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 4 eggs ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dark molasses ⓘ
- 1 package raisins ⓘ
- 1 package dates ⓘ
- 1/3 pound red and green cherries
- 1/3 pound canned pineapple ⓘ
- 1/2 pound Brazil nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Line two loaf pans with parchment paper or grease them.
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans.
- Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the fruitcakes to cool completely before removing from pans and serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup. Soaking the dried fruits in orange juice overnight can enhance their flavor and keep the cake moist. Ensure that the nuts are chopped evenly for better distribution throughout the cake.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of this deluxe fruitcake with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert. It pairs beautifully with Instant Hot Chocolate Mix(Club Member: Jason Harvey) during the holiday season. For an added touch, garnish with fresh orange zest or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover fruitcake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. You can also refrigerate it for longer freshness, up to a month. To reheat, slice the cake and warm it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through without drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Deluxe Old-Fashioned Fruitcake contains roughly 799 calories, with 14g protein, 180g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (60% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (50% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2398mg per serving (104% 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 other fruits instead of raisins and dates?
Yes, feel free to substitute with dried cranberries, apricots, or figs to suit your taste. Just ensure that the total amount of dried fruit remains roughly the same to maintain the cake's texture and moisture.
How do I know when the fruitcake is done baking?
The fruitcake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Since baking times can vary, start checking for doneness around the 2-hour mark to prevent overbaking.
Can I make this fruitcake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This fruitcake actually improves in flavor after a few days. You can make it up to a month in advance and store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil in the freezer, then thaw before serving.
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).