The holiday season is a time for celebration and gift-giving. If you are a baker and you enjoy the idea of a DIY gift, then this traditional fruit cake recipe is perfect for you! Personalized gifts are very much appreciated as the people you give them to will know you made them with love, time, and effort.
It may take you a couple of hours to make this since you have to soak the fruits and nuts for your fruitcake topping overnight, but it’s worth it. Further, this recipe makes four personal-sized fruitcakes, so it’s awesome for giving away as an edible gift, or selling for a quick buck!
Remember, this recipe does have some booze in it so it’s definitely for adults only.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup corn oil
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 light syrup
- 2 medium eggs
- 1/4 cup lemon concentrate
- 2 tbsp. rum or brandy
- 1/4 cup dark molasses
- 1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp. iodized salt
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg powder
- 1/8 tsp. allspice powder
Fruit and Nut Mixture
- 2 cups glazed fruits
- 1 cup raisins or sultanas
- 1/2 cup dates, chopped and pitted
- 1 cup toasted almonds, whole
- 1 cup toasted cashew nuts, split
(Soak all fruits and nuts in 1/2 cup brandy or rum of your choice; leave at least 1/2 cup of soaked fruits and nuts for your topping)
Procedure
- First, mix the following ingredients with a wooden spoon: corn oil, sugar, syrup, eggs, lemon concentrate, brandy, and molasses. After it is well blended, add in all the dry ingredients. Then, pour in the soaked fruits and nuts and mix very well.
- Pour into a greased and lined, 3 x 6 x 2 1/2 fruitcake pan. Use a weighing scale if needed to divide the batter equally. Pour in reserved soaked fruits and nuts as toppings.
- Bake at 300 degrees F to 325 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove the fruitcake from the pan after 10 minutes and cool overnight in a dry place, away from sunlight.
- Brush with your favorite brandy or rum on all sides. Wrap with aluminum foil or cling wrap and store in a tin can. You can also use boxes that have little windows if you wish to give this away as an edible Christmas present.
Money Tips
You can use Bacardi if you like a stronger punch in your fruitcake or Kahlua coffee liqueur if you just want a milder flavor. Further, if you are looking to make some extra cash for the season, this baked good is a great way to make some money on the side.
Photo: Andrea Nguyen
Maria Emilce Rodriguez, or Em, as her friends and colleagues know her, has been a Staff Blogger/ Media Communications Specialist with District Media Finance Inc. since 2014. She never knew how to cook growing up, however, when she reached her 20s she developed a passion focusing on baking and even took short courses offered at Chocolate Lover Inc. She also used to sell her baked goods and bring in the food she cooked for her co-workers at her former corporate job. Nowadays, during her free time, she still hones her cooking and baking skills, testing out new recipes for her friends and family members to try.
