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Holiday Fruitcake

Name: Holiday Fruitcake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups whole red candied cherries; 1-1/2 cups whole green candied cherries; 3 cups diced candied pineapple; 1 pound walnut halves; 10 ounces golden raisins; 1 cup shortening; 1 cup sugar; 5 large eggs; 4 tablespoons vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt

18 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 2 hours + cooling

Makes

16 servings

This is my own fruitcake recipe, and it's a family favorite. The mixture of fruits and nuts helps make it a tasty treat. —Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups whole red candied cherries
1-1/2 cups whole green candied cherries
3 cups diced candied pineapple
1 pound walnut halves
10 ounces golden raisins
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
5 large eggs
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°. Combine fruit and nuts. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour over fruit and nuts; stir to coat.
Transfer to a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 2 hours. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in a cool place. Bring to room temperature before serving; slice with a serrated knife.

Fruitcake Tips

Can you soak the fruitcake mix-ins before adding them to the batter?

Yes! You can soak the fruit in alcohol, such as rum, spiced rum and brandy, as well as non-alcoholic options, including orange or apple juice and spiced tea. Keep them in a covered container overnight at room temperature. Drain off any liquid before combining with the other ingredients.

Can you make fruitcake in other types of pans?

If you don’t have a 10-in. tube pan, we recommend making the fruitcake in two 9x5-in. loaf pans.

How should you grease the tube pan?

To grease your tube pan with ease, rub butter or shortening around the pan using a paper towel, then sprinkle with a thin layer of flour. Next, check out other fruitcake recipes, including upside-down fruitcake, mini fruitcakes and fruitcake squares.
—Julie Schnittka, Taste of Home Senior Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 686 calories, 32g fat (5g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 92g carbohydrate (61g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.