Holiday Bourbon Fruitcake Recipe

The holiday season is a time for indulgence and celebration, and what better way to embrace the spirit of the holidays than with a homemade fruitcake infused with the warm and rich flavors of bourbon? This Holiday Bourbon Fruitcake is a deliciously moist and flavorful treat that is perfect for enjoying with loved ones during the festive season.

Traditional fruitcakes have a bad reputation for being dense and dry, but this recipe aims to change that perception. By soaking the dried fru...

Ingredients

1 cup chopped candied orange peel
1 cup chopped candied citron
1 cup chopped candied pineapple
1 cup halved red candied cherries
1 cup halved green candied cherries
1 cup dried currants
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pitted dates
1 cup chopped walnuts
¾ cup chopped almonds
½ cup orange juice
⅔ cup bourbon whiskey
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups butter, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
6 egg yolks
¾ cup applesauce
½ cup bourbon whiskey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup molasses
6 egg whites

Information

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Cook Time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Additional Time: 1 day 12 hrs
Total Time: 1 day 17 hrs
Servings: 30
Yield: 2 9x5-inch loaves

On the first day, combine candied orange peel, candied citron, candied pineapple, red and green candied cherries, currants, raisins, walnuts, and almonds. Combine orange juice and 2/3 cup bourbon; pour over fruit and nuts. Stir and then cover tightly. Let fruit marinate in a cool place for a full day, or at least 20 hours.

On the second day, line two 9x5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil and grease the inside with cooking spray. Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to blend.

In a separate large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Stir in egg yolks until blended and then mix in applesauce, 1/2 cup bourbon, and vanilla until fluffy. Continue stirring, and add flour mixture gradually until well combined. Add molasses and stir to combine. When batter is thoroughly mixed, gently mix in fruit and nut mixture with all of its juices.

In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with an electric mixer until they can hold a stiff peak. Fold egg whites into batter. Divide evenly between the prepared pans. Cover loosely with a towel and let batter stand 8 hours to overnight in a cool, dry place.

On the third day, preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Place a large baking pan on the bottom shelf and pour boiling water into it until almost full. Place a baking sheet on the center shelf and place fruit cakes on the baking sheet.

Bake for 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. Check water level and refill if needed. Cover cakes with a sheet of parchment paper, taking care not to let it touch the shelf. Continue to bake until a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour more. Cool fruitcakes in the pans, and set over a wire rack. Once cool, remove cakes from the pans, and leave the parchment paper on. Sprinkle with more bourbon if desired and wrap in aluminum foil. Place in a tin or other sealed container and let sit 8 hours to overnight before serving.

Nutrition

422 cal.

Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 65mg
Sodium: 172mg
Total Carbohydrate: 65g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Total Sugars: 33g
Protein: 5g
Vitamin C: 3mg
Calcium: 69mg
Iron: 2mg
Potassium: 322mg

How to Make Holiday Bourbon Fruitcake - A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

Information

Nutrition

422 cal.

Categories