This Good Fruitcake recipe combines nuts, dates, and cherries for a deliciously rich and chewy treat. Unlike the dense, heavily spiced fruitcakes of old, this recipe focuses on the natural sweetness of the ingredients—dates, walnuts, and cherries—creating a light and flavorful cake. With a mix of brazil nuts and walnuts, this fruitcake has a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, chewy dates and cherries. It’s the ideal holiday dessert, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Fruitcake has long been a holiday tradition, and while many versions are known for being heavy and overly sweet, this recipe strikes a great balance between fruity sweetness and nutty richness. If you’re looking for a festive cake that celebrates the natural flavors of its ingredients, this recipe is perfect.
Join our Vintage Recipe Facebook Group to discuss and find “new” old recipes to enjoy.
Links to find other recipes:
Good Fruitcake
Food History
Fruitcake is one of the oldest forms of cake, with its origins tracing back to Roman times when dried fruits were added to breads to preserve them for long journeys. Over the centuries, fruitcake evolved into a holiday staple, particularly in European and American households. Traditionally, fruitcakes were made weeks in advance and soaked in spirits like brandy or rum to preserve them and enhance their flavors.
This Good Fruitcake is a modern take on the classic, with a focus on simplicity and natural ingredients. Rather than relying on rich spices or alcohol, this cake highlights the flavors of the fruits and nuts, making it a fresher alternative to traditional fruitcakes.
Recipe Discussion
This recipe uses seven eggs and sugar to create a light yet sturdy batter that holds together the rich mix of fruits and nuts. The eggs are beaten well to provide structure and volume, which is important given the heavy ingredients like dates and walnuts.
The mix of brazil nuts and walnuts gives this fruitcake a wonderful texture, with each bite providing a satisfying crunch. Brazil nuts, known for their rich, creamy texture, are often used in baking for their unique flavor. Combined with the more familiar taste of walnuts, these two nuts give the cake a nutty richness that pairs beautifully with the sweet dates and cherries.
Dates are a key ingredient in this recipe with their natural caramel-like sweetness. They provide moisture and a chewy texture, balancing out the crunch of the nuts. The addition of red cherries (without the juice) brings a pop of color and a touch of tartness to the cake, making it both visually appealing and delicious.
While some fruitcakes are baked for hours, this one bakes at 325°F for a more manageable amount of time. This ensures the cake is fully cooked through while still maintaining its moisture.
Preparation Tips
- Chop fruits and nuts evenly: Be sure to chop the dates, brazil nuts, and walnuts evenly so that they distribute nicely throughout the cake and bake evenly.
- Use fresh, pitted dates: For the best results, use fresh dates that are moist and sticky. If your dates are dry, you can soak them briefly in warm water to rehydrate them before using them in the recipe.
- Line the pan with parchment paper: Before pouring in the batter, line your cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Cool completely before slicing: Let the cake cool completely before slicing. This allows the cake to set and makes cutting easier without crumbling.
Recommended Kitchen Products
The links below lead to top-rated products on Amazon—if you use our links, we can save more recipes.
- 9×13-Inch Baking Pan: Use a sturdy, non-stick baking pan for even cooking and easy release.
- Parchment Paper: Lining your pan with parchment paper will help ensure your fruitcake doesn’t stick and makes cleanup easy.
- Silicone Spatula: A silicone spatula makes mixing the dense fruit and nut batter easier and helps scrape every last bit into the pan.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with whipped cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream pairs beautifully with the richness of the fruitcake.
- Gift as a holiday treat: Wrap slices of this fruitcake in decorative paper or place it in a festive tin to give as a thoughtful homemade holiday gift.
- Enjoy with coffee or tea: The nutty, fruity flavors of the cake go wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or tea, making it a perfect afternoon treat.
- Top with a dusting of powdered sugar: Before serving, sprinkle the top of the cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant finish.
A Nutty, Fruity Cake for the Holidays
This Good Fruitcake offers the perfect combination of natural sweetness from dates and cherries, combined with the richness of brazil nuts and walnuts. The simple batter makes these ingredients shine, making this a lighter, fresher alternative to traditional fruitcakes. Whether you’re making it for the holidays or simply as a sweet treat, this recipe will impress with its chewy, nutty goodness and vibrant flavors.
Start Your Recipe Box
- Start your recipe box or your family or friends. View New and Vintage Recipe Boxes
- View Recipe Cards and Templates
- View Recipe Card Protectors and Sleeves
Vintage Goodies
- Vintage Kitchenware on Etsy
- Vintage Recipes on Amazon
- Vintage Cookbooks on eBay
- Vintage Cookbooks on Etsy
Good Fruit Cake Recipe
Good Fruit Cake
Ingredients
Sift altogether
- 2 cups flour
- 1½ tsp. salt
- 7 eggs well beaten
- 2 cups sugar
- 1½ tsp. baking powder
- 1½ tsp. vanilla
.
- 2 lbs. dates
- 1 lb. brazil nuts
- 2 lbs. walnuts
- 1 jar red cherries (not juice)
Instructions
- Bake in oven 325 degrees.