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Jewelled Fruitcake

Fruitcake is not everyone's favorite Christmas food, but has been a tradition in my kitchen over the years. I posted this recipe on my personal blog last year, but will repeat it here for those who may be interested. It's a moist, light fruitcake with large pieces of fruits and nuts.



Jewelled Fruitcake
  • 2 1/2 cups whole candied cherries, red and green
  • 3 to 4 cups golden raisins
  • 2 cups candied pineapple (cut in large chunks)
  • 1 cup candied orange peel or citron
  • 2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1 1/2 cups whole blanched almonds
  • 2 cups pecan halves
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 9 eggs
  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  1. Measure all the fruits and nuts into very large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Cream butter, shortening and sugar.
  3. Add eggs and mix well.
  4. Add dry ingredients and orange juice.
  5. Beat on high speed for several minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
  6. Stir batter into fruit mixture and combine well.
  7. Spread mixture evenly into prepared well-greased pans.
  8. Bake at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool.
Yield: 3 medium loaves

*I did six mini-loaves and two larger loaves this year.




Now here's the part that makes this fruitcake so moist and yummy; wrap in brandy moistened cheesecloth. I used about 1 1/2 cups of apricot brandy for this recipe. Store the wrapped cakes in a cool place.

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting your fruitcake recipe Judy, very festive looking!! Just what we needed for the season. AND there are some people that do enjoy fruitcake..I'm one of them..I love to add lots of nuts and coconut to my recipe!

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  2. My children and friends all think I am crazy but I love fruitcake. I just need a gluten free version.

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  3. I like the brandy moistened cheesecloth idea! I've also been wondering about those pans when I've seen them advertised lately.
    Doesn't it feel weird to bake with something that looks like rubber or plastic? But I'll just take your word for it. Your cakes look great!

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  4. I've never made fruitcake before...leaving that up to my mom. But this year...I am thinking I should be doing so in her memory. This looks like a nice 'light' recipe....I am so used to those very heavy dark ones. Love the silicone baking dishes...I am slowly converting to them as well...and the brandy soaked cloth...good tip. Hubby loves fruitcake so there are definitely those who do Judy. Thanks for the post.

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  5. Oh wow, those are some wonderful looking fruitcakes! and the idea of wrapping in the brandy moistened cheesecloth is wonderful!

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  6. I am very tempted to try a fruitcake this year! I LOVE them but it's something I've never baked! Your recipe sounds wonderful!

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