Dark & Delicious Fruitcake Recipe

Name: Dark & Delicious Fruitcake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 lb dates; 1 lb dried figs; 1 lb dried pineapple; 1 lb dried apricots; 1 lb raisins; 1/2 lb currants; 1 lb dried cranberries; 1 lb golden raisins; peels from 2 lemons and 2 oranges; 1 c dark rum or cognac, plus additional for ripening.; 1 c butter; 2 c white sugar; 2 c brown sugar; 1/2 c applesauce; 10 eggs; 2 tsp vanilla; 4 c flour; 1 tsp nutmeg; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 lb cashews; 1/2 lb pecans

Servings: persons

1/2 lb dates
1 lb dried figs
1 lb dried pineapple
1 lb dried apricots
1 lb raisins
1/2 lb currants
1 lb dried cranberries
1 lb golden raisins
peels from 2 lemons and 2 oranges
1 c dark rum or cognac, plus additional for ripening.
1 c butter
2 c white sugar
2 c brown sugar
1/2 c applesauce
10 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
4 c flour
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lb cashews
1/2 lb pecans

1
The night before (8-24 hrs):
2
Chop large dried fruit to about raisin or cranberry size or your preference, chop citrus peels very fine, and mix & marinate all fruits in 1 c dark rum or cognac.
3
Preheat oven to 275 F.
4
Butter loaf pans, line with wax paper, butter again.
5
Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
6
Add applesauce & vanilla.
7
Mix in eggs two at a time, beating well after each addition.
8
Mix 1 c flour with the fruit mixture.
9
Sift the remaining 3 c flour with other dry ingredients, add to wet ingredients.
10
Mix batter and nuts into fruits- you will notice that the batter is just barely enough to hold the fruits and nuts together.
11
Fill pans nearly to the top, pressing batter down to remove any air spaces.
12
Bake standard loaf pans about 3 hrs, mini loafs about 2 hrs, until top feels done.
13
Let stand 1/2 hr on racks, then remove from pans and peel off paper. When completely cool, wrap each in cheesecloth soaked in rum. Put in tin or wrap tightly in foil. Age 2-4 weeks, checking weekly and re-rumming the cheesecloth if needed.
14
Enjoy!!

3058

kcal

Calories

117

Fat

452

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 23 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1/2 lb dates, 1 lb dried figs, 1 lb dried pineapple, 1 lb dried apricots, and more.

Yes, Dark & Delicious Fruitcake falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Dark & Delicious Fruitcake

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions