Mom's Favorite Fruitcake

Rich, moist, and brimming with festive flavors, Mom’s Favorite Fruitcake is the ultimate holiday treat that brings nostalgia to every bite. This timeless recipe combines a medley of dried cherries, apricots, raisins, and candied orange peel, soaked in your choice of brandy or orange juice for an extra burst of flavor. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves perfectly complement the sweet fruits, while chopped pecans or walnuts add a delightful crunch. Baked to perfection in just 90 minutes, this fruitcake is best enjoyed after a day of resting, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld together. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert or a cherished gift for loved ones, this homemade fruitcake is a festive tradition worth savoring. Perfect for holiday baking, fruitcake lovers, and seasonal celebrations!

Nutriscore Rating: 47/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried cherries
• 1 cup Dried apricots
• 1 cup Raisins
• 0.5 cup Candied orange peel
• 0.5 cup Brandy or orange juice
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup Packed brown sugar
• 4 Large eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the dried cherries, dried apricots, raisins, and candied orange peel. Pour the brandy or orange juice over the fruits and stir to coat. Let the mixture sit for at least 20 minutes to allow the fruits to soak.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Step 5

Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Step 7

Fold in the soaked fruit mixture (along with any remaining liquid) and the chopped nuts until evenly distributed.

Step 8

Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Let the fruitcake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

For best results, wrap the fruitcake tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container for at least a day before serving. The flavors will develop further over time.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1646.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6100.4

Total Fat 295.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 135.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 1260.7mg	0%
Sodium 890.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 766.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.9g	0%
Total Sugars 508.1g
Protein 71.7g	0%

Vitamin D 276.7IU	0%
Calcium 742.2mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 3706.4mg	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: 44.3%

Protein: 4.8%

Carbs: 51.0%