Old Fashioned White Fruit Cake Recipe (2024)

An old-fashioned white fruit cake recipe that’s as delicious as it is beautiful! Fluffy, buttery sweet bread filled with flavorful bites of fruit and nut. It’s a holiday classic for a reason!

White Christmas Fruit Cake

If there ever was a recipe that earned the title of “vintage” or “classic,” fruit cake is it! Fruit cakes have been served during the holidays or other celebrations, such as weddings, for centuries.

While they’ve gotten a bit of a bad rap, I think fruit cakes are tasty and beautiful too! The candied and dried fruits look like jewels and are incredibly festive! Many fruitcakes are pretty boozy, which can overpower the flavors of the cake and fruit. However, this recipe is not at all, so you can really enjoy the fluffy cake and pops of fruit flavor.

If you’re looking for a vintage holiday treat to serve that will look pretty on your party table AND be something that people actually eat, you’ve got to try this recipe!

Related: For another old fashioned holiday treat, try our Boozy Eggnog Recipe!

What Does Fruit Cake Taste Like?

There is a lot of variation in what is packaged and sold as “fruit cake,” which is probably why it’s gotten a bad reputation! Many store-bought fruitcakes are tough, dry, and filled with sticky candy that doesn’t taste like fruit at all.

Traditional fruit cake should be moist and fluffy…NOT dry! If spirits are used (not a requirement), there will be a touch of that flavor to compliment the fruit and spice. Homemade fruit cake was created as an elegant, delicate dessert and it should taste that way!

What is the Difference between Light and Dark Fruit Cake?

One obvious difference between dark and light fruit cakes is color.

While the core of the recipes are similar, dark fruit cake involves the addition of ingredients that affect the color of the bread. In a dark fruit cake recipe, you’ll often see molasses, red wine, or jam — all of which will create a rich brown color in the finished dish.

A light fruit cake, also called white fruit cake, is much lighter in color. This allows the bright colors of the fruits and nuts to really shine!

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White Fruit Cake Ingredients

• Butter — 2 sticks (1 cup)
• Granulated Sugar
• Egg
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Golden raisins
• Chopped pecans
• Crushed pineapple — with the juice
• Maraschino cherries
• Dried cherries

Kitchen Tools Used

• Mini Loaf Pans — This recipe makes 8 loaves if you use pans sized 6″ x 3.5″ x 2″
• Stand Mixer
• Parchment paper

How to Make a Light Fruit Cake

Because we bake our fruitcake slow and low, you’ll want to allow yourself a couple hours to prepare this recipe. That being said, it’s incredibly easy!

First, mix together eggs, vanilla and butter in the bowl of your stand mixer. (Or in a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer)

Mix in the salt, baking powder and flour.

Finally, add the fruits and nuts and mix until evenly distributed.

Scoop the batter into lined mini loaf tins and bake for 1 and 1/2 hours at 300°F.

How to Store Fruit Cake

Do not refrigerate. Instead, wrap each loaf individually and keep at room temperature. Enjoy within a week of baking.

Once sliced, you’ll want to use the fruit cake within a couple days.

You can also freeze for up to 6 months. Wrap each loaf in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer storage bag.

White Fruitcake Recipe (Printable Copy)

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