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Tis' the hour of the fruitcake!

"Reality is like a fruitcake; pretty enough to look at but with all sorts of nasty things lurking just beneath the surface."

By Rebecca Lynn IveyPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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"For months they have lain in wait, dim shapes lurking in the forgotten corners of houses and factories all over the country and now they are upon us, sodden with alcohol, their massive bodies bulging with strange green protuberances, attacking us in our homes, at our friends’ homes, at our offices — there is no escape, it is the hour of the fruitcake."— Deborah Papier

Fruitcake is undoubtedly one of those things that you either love and relish or you hate and detest, there really is no middle ground when it comes to this holiday icon.

The history of fruitcake goes way back, all the way to ancient Rome. A recipe from 2000 years ago had pomegranate seeds, pine nuts and raisins mixed into a cake made out of barley mash.

Did you know, fruitcake made with butter and sugar was banned for a while in Europe in the 18th century because it was thought to be just too rich and tasty. From the 19th century on fruitcake became a traditional wedding cake in England.

December 27 is National Fruitcake Day, but then a little more than a week later it’s Fruitcake Toss Day on January 7.

Johnny Carson once said "The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other."

I am one of those rare breeds that absolutely loves me a good fruitcake! I get downright mirthful when I discover them immaculately lined on the shelves during the holidays.

There are four people living in this house and we are split right down the middle when it comes to this colorful loaf of holiday magic.

My oldest son and I "admittedly" believe that this time of the year (November-December) is incomplete without our cherished fruitcake sitting on the table all throughout the season. In all honesty, we can easily go through one in a week's time. On the other hand, my husband and youngest son utterly loathe the very sight of fruitcake.

Although I have yet to find one of these ambrosial delicacies that I didn't like, there are definitely some that rein high above the others. They can range in price anywhere from $3.00 - $100.00 and up. It isn't much cheaper to make one at home from scratch, a 9-inch round fruitcake can be quite expensive to prepare.

Because my son and I consider ourselves to be fruitcake connoisseurs, we have tried just about every type imaginable, from those cheap store-bought cakes to the expensive, gourmet varieties. I can tell you from years of experience that the price isn't always a sign of quality and taste.

Grandma’s Chocolate Cherry Fudge Cake $24.95 from Beatrice Bakery

Description - Grandma’s original recipe to create this chocolate lovers’ delight. One bite is all it will take for everyone to now crave “fruitcake”!

This is one of our favorites, and it sells out online fairly quick! Unlike normal fruitcakes, this one has chocolate in it and in my opinion it's a whole new level of mind-blowing awesomeness.

Holiday Fruitcake - $64.99 from Frog Hollow Farm Kitchen

Description - Our rum-soaked fruitcake will knock your socks off! People make light of fruitcakes until they try ours! This dense walnut-studded cake is full of our own delicious sun-dried peaches and pluots. This approximately 5.5" cake comes wrapped in cheesecloth in a re-usable gold tin. Have it plain or pair it with our sweet and juicy pears and a glass of Port wine; throw in some cheese and life is good.

This is probably my most favorite, however, even though the rum is evaporated during the cooking process, the flavor is still quite prominent.

Anna Mary’s Gourmet Nut Cake $49.99 from Anna Mary's

Description -Anna Mary’s gourmet cake is more a nut cake with fruit rather than a fruitcake with nuts. Walnuts, pecans and fruit make up 72% of this cake with just enough batter to hold these top-quality ingredients together.

Anna Mary holds the key to my son's heart as this is the one that he goes for every year. I hope you like nuts, because this cake is loaded with them.

Claxton Fruit Cake, (3 Pack) - $12.99 at Walmart

Description -Looking for that specific food to start a new loved holiday tradition - Claxton Fruit Cake is the perfect choice for you. Step into the tradition of Claxton Fruit Cakes that has been going on for over 100 years. You won't be disappointed with the quality for the value that they put into each fruit cake. A Claxton Fruit Cake will definitely transform your holiday into a special one.

Not gonna lie, I can be found grabbing some Claxton's almost everytime that I visit the grocery store. It's cheap and it's pretty darn good. I really love having it with a cup of hot coffee.

So, how long can you typically keep a fruit cake, assuming that it is not 100 years? The U.S. Department for Agriculture (USDA) suggests up to 1 month in the pantry, up to 6 months refrigerated and up to a year frozen.

With that said, you can keep one sitting around all season and not have to worry about it going bad as quickly as those other boring ol' cakes.

Tis' the hour of the fruitcake, love it or hate it, fruitcake never really goes away, and if you absolutely do not want yours...pass it on over! 😃👍

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About the Creator

Rebecca Lynn Ivey

I wield words to weave tales across genres, but my heart belongs to the shadows.

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