How to Make Traditional Holiday Fruit Cakes

During the holiday season, I like to spend the afternoon making some delicious homemade mini fruit cakes. Making and serving these delicious items has been around for centuries. You will usually see them served around the holiday season or at wedding celebrations.

You will find that various cultures will have different touches on traditional recipes, however, the following recipes are carried out in the American tradition. When I make this fruit cake, I bake it in a muffin tin or mini bread pan. If you want, you can certainly bake it in a regular bread pan or a round cake pan.

How to Make Traditional Holiday Fruit Cakes

Fruit Cake Recipe

1 1/3 cup of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of butter, soft

2 eggs

3 cups of all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons of baking powder

2 cups of eggnog

1 1/2 cups mixed candied fruit

1 1/2 cup sifted sugar

1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

additional eggnog

(optional) half portion of candied cherries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, shake the sugar with soft butter until soft and creamy. Beat in both eggs until mixed. In another bowl, stir in the flour and baking powder. Gently stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture and then shake in the eggnog until all the ingredients are well combined. Fold the chopped candied fruit. If the mixture is stiff, mix with your hands.

Spray a few muffins or mini pans with non-stick vegetable spray. Spoon the mixture into the pan you … Read More ...

Fruit Cake: The Holiday Essential

Fruit cakes have become more than just a Christmas treat. Loved by young and old alike, this delicious treat has a colorful history and tradition that extends to this day. Did you know that the fruit cake industry began in Roman times? The belief was that it would provide blessings to them during the time of harvest. The combination of fruit and nuts made this a favorite delicacy by people during this time.

While it was regarded as a type of food that will bring blessings, in the 1800s, the exact opposite happened. It was believed to be sinful and was prohibited in some regions. Not long after, the cake was again regarded as a treat that could help bring love to unmarried individuals. The fruit cake became a symbol of hope as well; in many parts of England, they put a small slice under their pillow so they can start to dream about their future loved one.

FRUIT CAKE: THE HOLIDAY ESSENTIAL

What exactly is fruit cake made of? The ingredients that are included in the classic ones may vary, but it is typically battered together with some nuts and a little rum or brandy. A vacation is almost never complete without a piece of fruit cake. Most people will associate a fruit cake for cheering during the Christmas season.

One of the biggest advantages would be that it can last for weeks and months. Unlike other types of cake, as long as you keep it refrigerated, it will not easily spoil. The rum … Read More ...