Kentucky Christmas Cake

Celebrate the holidays with a slice of Kentucky Christmas Cake, a boozy, fruit-filled masterpiece that’s rich in flavor and tradition. This festive dessert combines the warmth of bourbon-soaked raisins, cherries, apricots, and candied orange peel with the crunch of toasted pecans for a truly indulgent treat. A cozy blend of cinnamon and nutmeg adds classic holiday spice, perfectly complementing the buttery cake base. Baked to golden perfection and best when matured over a few days, this bundt-style fruitcake is ideal for festive gatherings or gifting. For an extra kick, be sure to brush it with bourbon daily for a deep, bold flavor that will delight whiskey lovers. Whether served with coffee or eggnog, this Kentucky Christmas Cake brings a taste of timeless holiday cheer to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Raisins
• 1 cup Dried cherries
• 1 cup Dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup Pecans, chopped
• 0.5 cup Candied orange peel, chopped
• 1 cup Bourbon
• 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 4 large Eggs
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the raisins, dried cherries, dried apricots, pecans, and candied orange peel.

Step 2

Pour the bourbon over the dried fruit mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to soak for at least 12 hours, or overnight, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease a 9-inch tube or bundt pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Step 4

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 6

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 7

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 8

Gently stir in the soaked fruit mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 9

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 85-90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Step 11

Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 12

For best results, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and let it mature for at least 3 days before serving. Optionally, brush with additional bourbon every day to enhance the flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2002.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7053.9

Total Fat 295.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 135.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 1260.7mg	0%
Sodium 2094.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 949.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.0g	0%
Total Sugars 683.0g
Protein 77.3g	0%

Vitamin D 164IU	0%
Calcium 778.9mg	0%
Iron 27.9mg	0%
Potassium 4814.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.3%

Protein: 4.6%

Carbs: 56.2%