10+ Easy Fruitcake Recipes to Delight Everyone This Holiday Season

Fruitcake often gets a bad reputation, but it can be a delicious treat that works perfectly for holidays and special occasions. Easy fruitcake recipes can bring joy to your gatherings with minimal effort while allowing you to enjoy delightful flavors.

Making fruitcake doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a cake that is moist and packed with fruits and nuts. Whether you want to try a traditional version or a quick and easy spin, there are plenty of options to suit your taste.

Traditional English Fruitcake

Traditional English fruitcake is a rich and flavorful dessert, perfect for celebrations. It often features a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, making it a festive treat. This cake is dense and moist, allowing it to last for a long time when stored properly.

To make your fruitcake, you’ll start by creaming butter and sugar. Then, mix in eggs and your favorite dried fruits, like raisins and currants. Don’t forget the nuts for added texture!

After combining all your ingredients, pour the batter into a prepared cake tin. Bake it in a preheated oven at 320°F (160°C) for several hours. This slow baking helps develop its rich flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups mixed dried fruit
• 1 cup walnuts or almonds
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar until light.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4. Fold in dried fruits and nuts.
5. Mix flour, baking powder, and spices; add to the batter.
6. Pour into a lined cake tin.
7. Bake for 3-4 hours until set.

Spiced Rum Fruitcake

Spiced rum fruitcake is a fun twist on a traditional favorite. It combines rich flavors with a hint of warmth from the rum. This cake is great for holiday gatherings and gives a festive touch.

To make this cake, gather your ingredients and prepare for a delightful baking experience. Your kitchen will fill with an inviting aroma as it bakes.

This fruitcake is moist and flavorful, with a colorful mix of dried fruits and nuts. Serve it as a dessert or enjoy it as a snack.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, cut in quarters
• 1/2 cup dried pineapple, chopped
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup spiced rum

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until smooth.
4. Stir in flour mixture and add fruits and nuts.
5. Pour in spiced rum and mix well.
6. Pour the batter into a greased pan.
7. Bake for about 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let it cool before serving.

3) Vegan Fruitcake Delight

Vegan fruitcake is a delightful treat that is perfect for any celebration. This recipe is simple and filled with flavorful dried fruits. It’s moist and satisfying without any dairy.

To make your vegan fruitcake, gather your favorite dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and figs. These will add sweetness and texture to your cake. Whole wheat flour gives it a hearty taste, while coconut oil keeps it moist.

For baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures your cake cooks evenly. Once mixed, pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, figs)
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
• 1 cup plant-based milk
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine flour and baking soda.
3. Mix in melted coconut oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla.
4. Fold in dried fruits gently.
5. Pour into a loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.

4) Chocolate Cherry Fruitcake

Chocolate Cherry Fruitcake is a delightful twist on the classic recipe. The rich chocolate pairs perfectly with the sweet and tart cherries. This cake is a treat for any occasion.

To get started, you’ll want to soak dried cherries in a little liquor or water. This helps to enhance their flavor. While the cherries are soaking, you can prepare the batter.

Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Then, mix in eggs and your soaked cherries. Fold in your choice of chocolate for added richness.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about an hour. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out clean.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup liquor or water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate (chips or chopped)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak dried cherries in liquor or water for at least an hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
3. In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add eggs and mix well.
5. Fold in flour and soaked cherries.
6. Stir in chocolate.
7. Pour into a greased pan and bake for one hour.

Pineapple Pecan Fruitcake

Pineapple pecan fruitcake is a delicious option for those who enjoy fruity and nutty flavors. This cake is rich and moist, making it perfect for any gathering.

To make this fruitcake, you’ll need a mix of fresh fruits and nuts. Ingredients like candied pineapple and pecans create a sweet and crunchy texture in every bite.

The cake is easy to prepare. You simply mix the ingredients and bake it in the oven. Let it cool before serving, and you’ll have a tasty treat that friends and family will love.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup whole buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 lb candied pineapple, chopped
• 1 lb pecans, coarsely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Stir in the vanilla, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the buttermilk, mixing until smooth.
6. Fold in the candied pineapple and pecans.
7. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for about 50-60 minutes.

6) Gluten-Free Nutty Fruitcake

This gluten-free nutty fruitcake is a delicious twist on a classic treat. It’s packed with flavor and has a wonderful texture. You can enjoy it during the holidays or any time of year.

To make this fruitcake, you’ll need a gluten-free flour blend. This blend is a 1:1 replacement for regular flour and works perfectly in this recipe.

Chopped nuts add a delightful crunch. You can mix walnuts, pecans, and pistachios for a rich taste.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour blend
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs and 2 additional yolks
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, pistachios)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs and yolks until smooth.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
5. Stir in the chopped nuts.
6. Pour the batter into a greased pan and bake for about 50-60 minutes.

7) Gingerbread Fruitcake Panettone

Gingerbread Fruitcake Panettone combines the festive flavors of gingerbread with the rich texture of panettone. This recipe is great for holiday gatherings or a special treat at home.

To start, gather your baking essentials. You will need basic ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, eggs, molasses, and spices. Adding dried fruits and nuts will enhance the flavor and texture.

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and prepare your pan. A well-greased bundt or tube pan works best for this recipe.

Once mixed, pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake. Enjoy the warm, spicy aroma filling your kitchen as it bakes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (227g) butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) light brown sugar
• 5 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups (312g) sifted flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
• 1 cup (240ml) light molasses
• 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup candied orange peel

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Grease a bundt or tube pan.
3. Cream the butter and brown sugar together.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
5. Combine flour and spices in a separate bowl.
6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
7. Stir in molasses, orange juice, fruits, and nuts.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
9. Bake for about 1 hour and 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8) Citrus Bliss Fruitcake

Citrus Bliss Fruitcake is a refreshing twist on the classic recipe. The bright flavors of oranges and lemons bring a burst of sunshine to your holiday table.

Start by soaking mixed dried fruits in orange juice to add moisture and flavor. You can use raisins, apricots, and cranberries for a great mix.

When mixing the batter, add grated orange and lemon zest. This will enhance the citrus taste nicely.

Bake the cake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 70-80 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Let it cool before serving, and enjoy a slice with your favorite cup of tea!

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruits
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp baking powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak mixed dried fruits in orange juice for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
3. Grease and line a loaf pan.
4. Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs, zest, and soaked fruits; mix well.
6. Combine flour and baking powder, then fold into the mixture.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let cool before serving.

9) White Chocolate Cranberry Fruitcake

White Chocolate Cranberry Fruitcake is a delightful twist on the classic recipe. The combination of sweet white chocolate and tart cranberries creates a tasty balance. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion.

To start, use a basic fruitcake batter. Add chopped dried cranberries and bits of white chocolate to the mix. This gives the cake a beautiful color and flavor.

When baking, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake for about 60 to 70 minutes. Check with a toothpick to ensure it comes out clean.

Let your cake cool completely before decorating. You might want to top it with a simple white chocolate frosting for extra sweetness. Enjoy every slice!

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Gradually add flour and baking powder.
5. Fold in dried fruit, cranberries, and white chocolate.
6. Pour into a greased baking pan.
7. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool and frost if desired.

10) Apple Brandy Fruitcake

Apple brandy fruitcake is a delicious twist on the classic recipe. The combination of apples and brandy gives it a rich flavor that many enjoy.

To start, mix together dried fruits, chopped apples, and nuts. This adds both texture and taste. Soaking the fruits in apple brandy beforehand enhances the cake’s moistness and depth of flavor.

You will need to bake the fruitcake at 325°F (165°C). This low temperature helps the cake cook evenly and stay tender. Don’t forget to regularly brush it with more brandy after baking to keep it flavorful.

For a festive touch, consider adding warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These spices complement the apples well.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit
• 1 cup chopped apples
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 large eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Soak the dried fruit in apple brandy for at least 2 hours.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Add the soaked fruit, chopped apples, and nuts to the dry ingredients.
5. Beat the eggs and stir them into the mixture.
6. Pour the batter into a greased pan.
7. Bake for about 1.5 hours or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. After baking, brush with more apple brandy.