This is not your grandmother's fruitcake. It's not dense. It's not dark. It's not your typical toss-it-as-soon-as-you-get-it fruitcake or turn around and give it to someone else. No. It's not that fruitcake.
This is moist and buttery, light and scrumptious with a cup of tea or a glass of sherry.
NOTE: I've folded that page a gazillion times and it's all wrinkly and creased but I wanted to include the picture because I didn't make mine in a mold and I think the mold is the way to go.
The Top Five Reasons Golden Fruitcake is the Best Holiday-Fruitcake-Recipe
- It's not your grandmother's fruitcake
- It's buttery and light and just delicious!
- It's got brandy in it! Or Cognac, if you'd like it to be extra special.
- It smells delicious and it's pretty baked in a decorative mold.
- It's got California Golden Raisins in it.
Golden Raisins - The Secret Ingredient
The Recipe Source
About 15 years ago I found this advertisement in a holiday magazine. It's to promote California Golden Raisins. I tore the page out of the magazine and promptly made the recipe. It was so delicious I couldn't believe it. Almost poundcake-like. Only better.
I've googled California Golden Raisins and cannot find the source of this recipe although there are other recipes for Golden Fruitcake.
I've made this often as holiday gifts and have happily shared the recipe each time someone asks for it.
This fruitcake reminds me of a Christmas cake that we had when I was a small child in Ireland. I don't know what it was called but it was frosted with a wonderful marzipan icing. Try this special recipe this holiday season. I know you'll be glad you did.
It really is The Best Holiday Fruitcake Recipe Ever.
Golden Fruitcake - The Recipe
I found this recipe in a magazine many years ago. It was an advertisement for California Golden Raisins and it looked a lot like a special Christmas cake that we had as Children. So I tried it and it was a huge hit with my family and friends. Here's the recipe: (And this is a picture of my fruitcake)1-1/2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, separated
1/2 teasapoon cream of tartar
1 cup milik
1 teaspoon brandy extract
(or 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup brandy)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups golden raisins
1 cup chopped, dried apricots
1/2 cup chopped candied orange peel
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Beat butter until ight and creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until smooth. Beat egg yolks together lightly and add.
Combine milk, brandy and vanilla. Mix flour and salt together. Alternately add milk mix and flour mix to butter mix. Fold in fruit and nuts.
Beat egg whites with cream of tartar untnil stiff but not dry. Fold whites into batter gently but thoroughly. Pour mixture into two buttered and floured six cup molds.
Bake at 275 degrees for 201.2 hours or until they test done.
Cool. Unmold.
Fruitcake Feedback
If you've ever had a taste of this, you'll agree that it IS the best. If you've never, ever tasted this recipe, you should do yourself a favor and make it!
Then decide whether or not you want the entire cake for yourself or if you'll give it as a gift. I'm betting you'll end up making several!
Do you like fruitcake?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes I do like fruitcake, but I'm picky about the recipe.
I wouldn't eat fruitcake if you paid me a million dollars.
Gourmet Fruitcakes and Other Holiday Goodies
Fruitcake and Truffles Pack
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 02/09/2010) 
Sapori Panforte Margherita
Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)
Christmas Stollen (1 lb.) - Wisconsin Cheeseman
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
Very Berry Blueberry and Brandy Walnut Cakes
Amazon Price: $34.95 (as of 02/09/2010)
Great Books About Homemade Gifts of Food
Vote for your favorite. Or add what's missing!
Favorite Fruitcakes: Recipes, Legends, and Lore from the World's Best Cooks and Eaters by Moira Hodgson
A charming illustrated gift book that finally pays more...0 points
Simply Homemade Food Gifts
Create and give the gifts that money can't buy, ma more...0 points
Homemade: Delicious Foods to Make and Give by Judith Choate
Everyone wants to make it homemade. The gift-giver more...0 points
Company's Coming: Gifts from the Kitchen (Special Occasion) (Special Occasion) by Jean Pare
Create dozens of homemade gifts from the heart wit more...0 points
Find just the right baking pan for your Golden Fruitcake
From Amazon
Patisse Steam Pudding Mold, 1/2-Liter
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
SCI Scandicrafts Steamed Pudding Cake Mold with Lid 5.5-inch Diameter, 4-Cup
Amazon Price: $19.00 (as of 02/09/2010)
Wilton Excelle Elite 4-Cup Mini Loaf Pan
Amazon Price: $21.49 (as of 02/09/2010)
Polish Pottery Wiza Unikat Large Handmade Bundt Pan Cake Mold Baking Dish Grape Pattern
Amazon Price: $72.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
Lekue Silicone Mini Deep Fluted Pan
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 02/09/2010)
More Holiday Recipes and Ideas
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Thanks for stopping by my Holiday Fruitcake page
Please let me know what you think about fruitcake - any kind of fruitcake!
-
Reply
- HorseAndPony HorseAndPony Oct 1, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
- I love these ever project lenses. I would normaly say I HATE fruitcake. I laughed so hard when I read your intro... "This is not your grandmother's fruitcake. It's not dense. It's not dark. It's not your typical toss-it-as-soon-as-you-get-it fruitcake or turn around and give it to someone else." These were my exact fruitcake feelings. I just had no idea how to express them. Now that I see your fruitcake recipe I think I am warming up to the Holiday Horror, I mean fruitcake. :)
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Reply
- CherylK CherylK Oct 1, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
- Well, bless your heart! I think there must have been a really horrible fruitcake recipe at one time and it gave all fruitcakes a bad name. [in reply to kab]
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Reply
- kab kab Sep 6, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
- I don't know why people pick on fruitcake like they do. I like it.
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All About CherylK
Lensmaster CherylK has been a member since February 3 2008, has rated 1,159 lenses, favorited 915, and has created 53 lenses from scratch. Cheryl Kohan donates their royalties to Acumen Fund and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This member's top-ranked page is "Simple Steps to Prevent Water Pollution". See all my lenses
My Bio
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I love gardening, reading, watching sunsets on our lake, turtles, traveling, art galleries, feng shui, photography, cooking, espresso, California wine country, environmental issues, antiques and collectibles, interior design, blogging, Squidoo.
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