Christmas fruitcake is a divisive holiday treat — but this crowd-pleasing recipe will impress everyone at your table! Soaked in rum and aged for weeks, this Christmas fruitcake recipe is full of festive flavor.
What Is Fruitcake?
Fruitcake is a bread-like cake made with candied or dried fruits, nuts, and spices. The fruit and the cake itself are traditionally soaked in liquor. The sweet treat is usually served (and also gifted) during the holidays. Since it's doused in liquor, Christmas fruitcake lasts for months.
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How to Make Christmas Fruitcake
Though making fruitcake isn't hard, it is a bit of a process. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this old-fashioned Christmas fruitcake.
- Make the batter: Soak the fruit in rum for at least one day. Beat the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in batches, alternating with molasses. Stir in the nuts and soaked fruit.
- Bake the cake: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Soak the cake: Drizzle rum over the still-warm cake. Brush the cake with rum. Moisten a cheesecloth with rum, then wrap it around the cake with parchment paper.
- Age the cake: Transfer the wrapped Christmas fruitcake to an airtight container. For best results, age for at least 10 weeks.
Cook’s Note
For best results, let the fruitcake age for at least 10 weeks (or longer!) before serving, although some reviewers have eaten it right away and loved it.
How to Store Christmas Fruitcake
Store the fruitcake in the airtight container at room temperature, preferably in a dark place, for at least 10 weeks. If you plan to age the fruitcake for longer, you'll need to brush the cake again.
From the Editor
Douse with additional rum for every 10 weeks of storage to keep the cake flavorful and moist.
Can You Freeze Fruitcake?
Yes, you can freeze Christmas fruitcake. Wrap the cake tightly in one layer of storage wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to one year. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"Although a bit of work, this recipe is well worth it," according to banjognome. "It made a very tasty fruitcake that had many requests for the recipe. The only thing I did differently was, about halfway through the baking time, I gently decorated the top with whole pecans, and [candied] cherries."
"Delicious," says Allrecipes Allstar Christina. "My first attempt at making fruitcake and it was a hit w/ everyone. I used a mix of raisins, figs, candied cherries, cranberries, and dried pineapple. Mine only got to sit for about 1 week, but it was still yummy!"
"Absolutely fantastic," raves Wulfae. "I made about twenty of these last year to give out as gifts, and they were really well received. I had my sister text me recently saying she just found it in the freezer and it was delicious. My grandma wants me to make three for her next Christmas."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
