This Christmas Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake is a festive, rich, and moist cake filled with dried apricots, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of holiday spices. It’s perfect for making ahead and serving during the holiday season. This cake is ideal for holiday gatherings and pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea, or eggnog.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup candied cherries, halved (optional)
- ¼ cup brandy or rum (optional for soaking the cake)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup golden raisins or currants for added sweetness
- ¼ cup chopped pecans for extra crunch
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit and Nuts
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, toss the chopped dried apricots, walnuts, and candied cherries (if using) with 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture to prevent them from sinking in the batter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the orange juice, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Fold in the apricots, walnuts, and any other optional fruit or nuts you’re using.
Step 5: Bake the Fruitcake
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Soak (Optional)
- If you’re adding an extra layer of flavor, use a skewer to poke holes in the top of the cake and slowly drizzle the brandy or rum over the cake.
- Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 days to let the flavors deepen.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
- Before serving, dust the cake with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Slice and enjoy with your favorite holiday drink.
Cooking Notes
- Fruit Options: Feel free to substitute or add other dried fruits like raisins, currants, or cranberries for variety.
- Storage: Fruitcake can be stored wrapped in plastic for up to 1 week at room temperature or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Variations
1. Spiced Rum Fruitcake
Add 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves to the dry ingredients and soak the cake in spiced rum for a warming holiday flavor.
2. Glazed Apricot Walnut Fruitcake
After baking, brush the top of the cake with a warm apricot jam glaze for a shiny, sweet finish. Simply heat ¼ cup apricot jam with 1 tablespoon water and spread over the cake.
3. Nutty Fruitcake
Add ¼ cup chopped pecans or almonds to the batter for extra crunch and flavor.
4. Citrus Fruitcake
Add 1 tablespoon orange or lemon zest to the batter for a bright citrusy flavor that pairs well with the dried apricots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I make Christmas Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake ahead of time?
Yes! Fruitcake often tastes better when made ahead. You can bake the cake up to 2 weeks in advance and store it wrapped tightly at room temperature. If soaking with alcohol, the flavor improves as the cake ages.
Q: How do I store leftover fruitcake?
Store leftover fruitcake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I make this fruitcake without alcohol?
Yes! The alcohol is optional. You can omit the brandy or rum entirely or substitute it with apple juice, orange juice, or simple syrup.
Q: Can I add more fruit to this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add more dried fruit, such as golden raisins, dried cranberries, or dried figs, for extra flavor and texture.
Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour for a gluten-free version of this fruitcake.
This Christmas Apricot and Walnut Fruitcake is a delicious holiday treat that’s both fruity and nutty, perfect for sharing with family and friends. The combination of dried apricots, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices makes it a festive favorite that’s easy to prepare ahead of time. Whether you’re gifting it or serving it at your holiday table, this fruitcake is sure to impress.
I’d like to find out more? I’d love to find out more details. http://www.hairstylesvip.com
We are a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with useful info to work on. You have done a formidable activity and our whole neighborhood will likely be grateful to you.
Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am inspired! Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I used to be looking for this certain info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
There’s something very grounding about the way you approach your subjects. I always walk away feeling a bit more centered after reading your work.
Your writing consistently brings light to complicated subjects. It’s something I truly appreciate as a reader.
I have learned new things out of your blog post. One other thing to I have found is that normally, FSBO sellers will reject you actually. Remember, they will prefer not to ever use your services. But if you actually maintain a stable, professional relationship, offering support and being in contact for around four to five weeks, you will usually have the ability to win an interview. From there, a listing follows. Thank you
Was mir aber besonders negativ aufgefallen ist,das man dort gamomat spiele ( wie ramses book zb.
) nicht spielen kann. Vor allem, dass es nicht nur
einen Einzahlungsbonus bei den ersten drei Einzahlungen, sondern auch Frank Casino Freispiele gibt, ist erwähnenswert.
So kannst Du bequem auf Deinem Smart Telefon oder Tablet zu jeder Zeit spielen und es
ist egal, wo Du dich zu dem Zeitpunkt aufhältst.
Das bedeutet einfach, dass die Ergebnisse
von Zufallszahlengeneratoren (RNGs) bestimmt werden, was ebenfalls unvoreingenommene Ergebnisse garantiert.
Die Spieler können sich außerdem darauf verlassen, dass
ihre Daten jederzeit sicher sind. Für Frank Casino online hat Sicherheit oberste
Priorität. Wenn Sie also pendeln, reisen oder einfach nur zu Hause entspannen, sind Ihre Spiele nur einen Wasserhahn entfernt.
Den Spielern, die die App bevorzugen, steht eine dedizierte
mobile App zur Verfügung, die auch Push-Benachrichtigungen für eine reibungslosere Benutzeroberfläche bietet.
References:
https://online-spielhallen.de/vulkan-vegas-casino-erfahrungen-ein-umfassender-uberblick/
Maximum withdrawals range from $2,000-$10,000 weekly on standard accounts, with VIP players negotiating
higher limits. Bank transfers take longer due to interbank processing networks, especially for international transactions from offshore
casinos to Australian banks. POLi acts as an intermediary between your
bank and casino, processing deposits in seconds.
Deposit options for Australian players typically include PayID, POLi, credit cards
(Visa/Mastercard), and e-wallets. Stakes range from
$1-$5 minimums to $5,000-$10,000 maximums, accommodating casual players and high rollers.
Compare that to no-bonus deposits where your $100 is immediately withdrawable after any bet.
No worries – customer support is available 24/7 via email and live chat at this Australian safe online casino.
By partnering up with providers like BGaming, BSG,
IGT, Mascot, and other well-known names, this safe online casino Australia site guarantees the safest
gaming experience for its users. For existing users, this safe Aussie online casino hosts
various tournaments with some of the best prizes, which make your gaming experience even more exciting.
We’re mighty impressed with the A$4,000 offer
and the brilliant range of games you can play with it.
Outside of pokies, you’ll find a ton of live dealer games from
Atmosfera and TV Bet, amongst others, and some neat video roulette and blackjack games.
Skycrown Casino supports a wide range of payment methods to cater to players’ preferences.
The casino uses advanced encryption technology to protect
players’ personal and financial information. It’s worth checking
their promotions page regularly to take advantage of the latest offers and boost your gameplay.
This massive selection ensures that every player finds something they love — from simple
fruit slots to advanced live tables. The site also includes crypto games, jackpots,
and regular tournaments to keep things exciting.
You’ll find hundreds of pokies, ranging from classic fruit machines to modern video slots
with bonus features. SkyCrown also promotes responsible gambling, so you can enjoy
the experience with peace of mind. On top of that, all games come from certified providers with fair and random outcomes.
That said, thousands of Aussie players safely enjoy SkyCrown every
day without issue.
While there isn’t a standalone app, the mobile-friendly website ensures a smooth experience on iOS and Android
devices. Sky Crown Casino is fully optimized for mobile gaming,
providing seamless access via smartphones and tablets. The interface is
structured to provide seamless transitions between pages, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
These games typically have RTPs of up to 98%, offering great winning potential.
References:
https://blackcoin.co/las-vegas-a-comprehensive-guide/
casino sites that accept paypal
References:
https://ispd.org/?post_type=dwqa-question&p=37526
online casino paypal
References:
https://suryapowereng.in
www betmgm https://betmgm-play.com/ bet mgm $200