Bourbon-Infused Holiday Fruitcake with Candied Citrus and Nuts

Recipe Collection: Dessert

Bourbon-Infused Holiday Fruitcake with Candied Citrus and Nuts is a rich and festive treat that combines the sweetness of candied fruits and the crunch of nuts, all enhanced by the warm notes of bourbon and spices. This non-vegetarian American classic is perfect for holiday gatherings, though it does contain gluten, eggs, and nuts.

With its moist texture and complex flavor profile, this fruitcake is ideal for festive occasions or as a thoughtful gift. Use it as a centerpiece for your dessert table or serve it alongside coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.

Easily find this recipe on the easyChef Pro App, where you can access personalized recommendations, AI-powered pantry tracking, and a smart shopping list to streamline your meal prep. Select this recipe, organize your ingredients, and follow our step-by-step guide to create a holiday masterpiece today!

Overview

This bourbon fruitcake is a festive treat, rich with a variety of candied fruits and nuts, and infused with the warm flavors of bourbon and spices. It's a labor of love that takes three days to prepare, but the result is a moist, flavorful cake perfect for holiday celebrations.

Diet Type

Non-Vegetarian

Allergies

Nuts, Gluten, Eggs

Cuisine

American

Serving Size: 30

Cooking Time: 1 day 17 hours

Ingredients

• 1 Cup candied orange peel, minced
• 1 Cup candied citron, minced
• 1 Cup candied pineapple, minced
• 1 Cup red candied cherries, halved
• 1 Cup green candied cherries, halved
• 1 Cup dried currants
• 1 Cup raisins
• 1 Cup pitted dates, minced
• 1 Cup walnuts, chopped
• 0.75 Cup almonds, chopped
• 0.5 Cup orange juice
• 0.67 Cup bourbon whiskey
• 4 Cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Teaspoons cinnamon, ground
• 2 Teaspoons nutmeg, ground
• 1 Teaspoon cloves, ground
• 1 Teaspoon allspice, ground
• 1 Teaspoon ginger, ground
• 2 Teaspoons cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 Teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 Teaspoon salt
• 1.5 Cups butter
• 1 Cup brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 Cup white sugar
• 6 Egg yolks
• 0.75 Cup applesauce
• 0.5 Cup bourbon whiskey
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.5 Cup molasses
• 6 Egg whites

Steps

1. Day 1: Combine all candied fruits, currants, raisins, dates, walnuts, and almonds in a large bowl. Mix orange juice and 0.67 cup bourbon, then pour over the fruit and nut mixture. Stir well, cover tightly, and let marinate in a cool place for at least 20 hours.
2. Day 2: Line two 9x5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper or foil and grease with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, blending well, then mix in applesauce, 0.5 cup bourbon, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until combined. Stir in molasses, then gently fold in the marinated fruit and nut mixture with its juices.
4. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into the batter. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Cover loosely with a towel and let stand for 8 hours or overnight in a cool, dry place.
5. Day 3: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Place a large baking pan filled with boiling water on the bottom shelf of the oven. Place a baking sheet on the center shelf and set the fruitcakes on it.
6. Bake for 2.5 hours, checking the water level and refilling as needed. Cover cakes with parchment paper, ensuring it doesn't touch the oven shelf. Continue baking until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour more. Cool in pans on a wire rack.
7. Once cool, remove cakes from pans, leaving parchment on. Sprinkle with additional bourbon if desired, wrap in foil, and store in a sealed container for 8 hours or overnight before serving.

Enjoy your homemade Bourbon-Infused Holiday Fruitcake with Candied Citrus and Nuts!