Miss Susie Young'S Christmas Fruitcake
A rich and flavorful Christmas fruitcake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, perfect for festive celebrations and enjoyed by those who love traditional holiday desserts.
Ingredients
- 5 eggs ⓘ
- 2 cups sugar ⓘ
- 4 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup blackberry jam ⓘ
- 1 cup buttermilk ⓘ
- 2 pounds mixed fruit ⓘ
- 1 pound dried figs ⓘ
- 1 pound almonds ⓘ
- 1 heaping teaspoon soda ⓘ
- 1 cup butter ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons allspice ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 pint grape juice ⓘ
- 2 pounds raisins ⓘ
- 2 lb. raisins
Instructions
- Beat eggs and butter together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add sugar to the egg and butter mixture and beat until well combined.
- Sift together 4 cups of flour, soda, and spices (cloves, allspice, cinnamon).
- Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, blackberry jam, and grape juice, mixing well after each addition.
- Combine the mixed fruit, dried figs, raisins, and almonds into the batter.
- Pour the batter into a prepared baking pan and bake at an appropriate temperature until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your fruitcake, consider soaking the dried fruits in a bit of the grape juice overnight. This will also help to keep the cake moist. If you prefer a lighter cake, you can substitute half of the flour with almond flour, which pairs beautifully with the nuts in the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
This fruitcake is best enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, serve it alongside a Savory Spread For Tiny Sandwiches during holiday gatherings. You can also garnish each slice with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream for added sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover fruitcake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, or refrigerate for longer freshness. To reheat, slice a piece and warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, ensuring it doesn’t dry out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Miss Susie Young'S Christmas Fruitcake contains roughly 5303 calories, with 48g protein, 478g carbohydrates, and 394g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (260% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (173% of the Daily Value), and iron (155% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1311mg per serving (57% 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 fruit instead of dried fruit in this recipe?
Fresh fruit can be used, but it will alter the texture and moisture of the cake. If using fresh fruit, reduce the liquid ingredients slightly to prevent the cake from becoming too wet.
How long should I bake the fruitcake?
Bake the fruitcake at 325°F for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it towards the end to avoid overbaking.
Can I make this fruitcake ahead of time?
Yes! This fruitcake actually improves with age. You can make it several weeks in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors.
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).