I Love Fruit Cake — Really!

Who among us hasn’t heard a holiday story about a beloved auntie who gifted a homemade fruitcake.

 

At dinner parties everywhere, the lucky recipient goes into every detail about the dense brick-size concoction chockful of raisins, nuts, and dried fruit, how it stuck to the roof of their mouth and made them choke until their face was as red as a candied cherry. The tale rises to the

top of dinner conversation like chocolate lava cake — only fruitcake isn’t.

 

“Oh, you really shouldn’t have, auntie,” is dramatically enacted. Everyone laughs gratefully because at this gathering dessert is apple pie a la mode. What auntie doesn’t know is her next homemade fruitcake will be regifted to a friend at an office holiday party who in turn will declare, “Oh you shouldn’t have!” (Oh yes, they did.) And that friend will regift it to their in-laws. Where will the traveling fruitcake land next?

 

I certainly hope it visits me, because I love fruitcake! What’s not to love about this incredible, edible mouthful of deliciousness. Pass the tea, please.

 

Homemade fruitcake is not only a gift of love but a labor of love. There are several online recipes with ingredients ranging in number from 12 to 19! Yours or my baker auntie searches for the best dried fruits as if mining for gems. Ruby-red candied cherries, dried orange apricots, golden diamond-like raisins, dates, nuts — plus secret ingredients handed down through generations. And let’s not forget about the brandy (or rum), which soaks the delectable, dried fruits into plump mouthwatering morsels. More tea, please.

 

The popularity of fruitcake began in the 16th century and made its way to America when European colonists arrived. It has a long shelf life. In fact, making a fruitcake months before the holidays improves its flavor and texture. There’s even a National Fruitcake Day: December 27th. A perfect gift during the week leading into New Year’s.

 

Fruitcake also abounds with nutritional benefits and is an energy boost. It is seriously delicious, has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, and protein. And yes, it’s loaded with calories and sweetness. Perhaps this is why it appears during the holidays when everyone overindulges. Pass the eggnog, please.

 

Jokes about fruitcake gifts abound. Did you hear about the woman who struck her husband with one? She ate it so the weapon was never found. The most notable one is how only one fruitcake exists and just keeps circulating.

 

They say it is better to give than receive, and that may be how some feel about the gift of fruitcake.

 

As for me, I love fruitcake…no joke.

 

Joan B. Reid is the author of Joyful Passage: A Woman’s Path to Retirement.