38 holiday fruit cake recipes

Vegan fruit cake packed with dried fruit, candied peel, orange rind, and almonds, leavened with a soy milk and vinegar reaction instead of eggs. A dense, dairy-free holiday cake baked low and slow.

Moist, spiced fruit cake loaves sweetened naturally with boiled raisins and unsweetened applesauce, plus just a touch of liquid sweetener. Warm cinnamon and nutmeg fill every slice. A diabetic-friendly take on a holiday classic.

Rich West Indian Christmas cake soaked in rum and sherry with dried fruits, warm spices, and browning for deep color. Start the fruit a month ahead for a dense, boozy holiday cake worth the wait.

Friendship cake using yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding, brandied starter fruit, raisins, and pecans baked in a Bundt pan. The shortcut version of the gifted-starter holiday cake.

Whole wheat Christmas fruit cake with grated carrot, raisins, almonds, hazelnuts, and warm spices, lightly sweetened and finished with a brandy soak. A wholesome, nutty take on the classic holiday cake.

Light fruit cake with sultanas, glace cherries, pineapple, almonds, and rose extract baked low and slow. A traditional British holiday cake with citrus and almond flavors.

Old-fashioned Christmas fruit cake with boiled raisins, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. No eggs or butter needed, just cold water and shortening for a dense, spiced holiday cake.

Friendship cake starter made with pineapple, cherries, and peaches layered with sugar and brandy over six weeks. A fermented fruit base for holiday fruitcakes.

Pineapple lemon fruit filling for Japanese fruitcake, cooked custard-style in a double boiler with toasted pecans. The signature Southern holiday cake glue.

Cranberry upside-down cake with fresh cranberries in a brown sugar butter base, topped with a light egg white-folded butter cake. A stunning holiday dessert flipped to reveal jewel-red fruit.

Yeasted coffee cake ring filled with apricot preserves, dried fruit, and pecans, flavored with cardamom and apple juice concentrate. A Scandinavian-style holiday bread.

Dense, jewel-toned fruit cake packed with whole dates, walnuts, and candied cherries held together by just enough batter. A showstopper for holiday giving.

Fig fruit cake with dried figs, candied cherries, pineapple, walnuts, brandy, and unsweetened chocolate. A spiced holiday loaf baked low and slow for dense, sliceable richness.

Festive yeast coffee cake shaped like Christmas trees, studded with candied fruit and rolled oats. Pull apart the golden buttery balls for a stunning holiday brunch centerpiece.

Jeweled candied fruitcake loaded with dates, candied pineapple, whole cherries, and 2 lbs of pecan halves. More fruit and nuts than batter. A stunning holiday gift cake.

Velvety brandy sauce made in 5 minutes with butter, powdered sugar, and brandy extract. Drizzle over bread pudding, holiday cakes, or warm fruit desserts for an instant upgrade.