Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake Recipe

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 1, 2024 | Last Updated on January 3, 2024

Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake is a traditional, homemade Christmas cake that has been passed down through generations. It’s a classic recipe, made with simple ingredients like raisins, currants, nuts, and spices, and has a moist, dense texture. 

This recipe has stood the test of time and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a great way to show your love and thoughtfulness to your loved ones.

What is Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake?

A fictional character and brand known as Betty Crocker is featured in recipes and food-related advertisements. The Washburn-Crosby Company introduced this character in 1921 to offer customers personalized responses to their product questions. 

Betty Crocker has a variety of cake recipes. Among them the Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake is celebrated as the best fruit cake recipe. 

This is a traditional Christmas cake recipe that has been passed down through generations. It’s a moist, dense cake that is packed with flavor, thanks to the raisins, currants, nuts, and spices used in the recipe. This cake is a great way to spread holiday cheer and show your loved ones how much you care.

Why You’ll Love this Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake?

This Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake recipe is a classic for a reason. Not only is it delicious and full of flavor, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. This cake is sure to please everyone, from the pickiest of eaters to the most adventurous foodies. Plus, it will make your house smell amazing as it bakes!

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The Ingredients

• Plump dried apricot halves (5.5 ounces): These apricots provide natural sweetness and a chewy texture to the fruit cake. They add a delightful tangy flavor and contribute to the cake’s fruity profile.
• Luscious pitted whole dates (6 ounces): Dates are used for their natural sweetness and sticky texture. They enhance the moisture content of the cake while providing a rich, caramel-like flavor.
• Creamy Brazil nuts (4 ounces): Brazil nuts offer a creamy, buttery taste and a pleasant crunch to the cake. They add depth and richness to the overall texture and flavor profile.
• Vibrant red and green candied pineapple, finely chopped (3.5 ounces): Candied pineapple brings a burst of color, sweetness, and a chewy texture to the fruit cake, enhancing its tropical appeal.
• Colorful red and green whole maraschino cherries, thoroughly drained (6 ounces): Maraschino cherries contribute bright colors and a burst of sweet-tart flavor. They add a festive look and fruity taste to the cake.
• Gold Medal™ finely sifted all-purpose flour: Flour serves as the base ingredient, binding everything together. It helps provide structure and stability to the cake.
• Fine granulated sugar: Sugar sweetens the cake, balancing the natural tartness of the fruits and adding a pleasing sweetness to the overall taste.
• Premium baking powder: Baking powder aids in the leavening process, helping the cake rise and achieve a lighter texture.
• Himalayan pink salt: Salt enhances the flavors in the cake, balancing the sweetness and adding a subtle depth to the taste profile.
• Pure vanilla extract: Vanilla extract imparts a warm, aromatic flavor to the cake, enhancing its overall taste and providing a pleasant aroma.
• Eggs (if splitting eggs is difficult, try whisking two eggs together, then use about 3/4 of this mixture): Eggs act as a binding agent, contributing moisture and structure to the cake. They help hold the ingredients together while providing richness and stability to the batter.

Directions

Step 1. Prepare Ingredients

• Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) to ensure it reaches the correct baking temperature. Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
• Prepare Fruits and Nuts: Chop the plump dried apricot halves, luscious pitted whole dates, creamy Brazil nuts, vibrant red and green candied pineapple, and colorful red and green whole maraschino cherries as needed. Combine these chopped ingredients in a bowl and set them aside.

Step 2. Combine Dry Ingredients

Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the Gold Medal™ finely sifted all-purpose flour, fine granulated sugar, premium baking powder, and Himalayan pink salt. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of all the dry ingredients.

Step 3. Prepare Batter

Beat Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they become slightly frothy. Add the pure vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture until just combined.

Step 4. Incorporate Fruits and Nuts

Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold the prepared mixture of fruits and nuts into the batter. Ensure an even distribution, making sure all fruits and nuts are coated with the batter.

Step 5. Bake the Fruit Cake

• Preparation for Baking: Pour the batter into the previously prepared loaf pan, ensuring it spreads evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven.
• Baking Time: Bake the fruit cake for approximately 90-100 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

Step 6. Cool and Serve

Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the fruit cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake:

– Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for best results.
– Grease and flour the pan before adding the batter to ensure the cake won’t stick.
– To prevent the cake from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
– If desired, you can decorate the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze.

Storage Tips

This Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Information

This Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake contains approximately 280 calories per serving.

Serving Suggestions

This Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake is great served as is, or you can dress it up with these ideas:

– Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
– Drizzle with a simple glaze or dust with powdered sugar.
– Top with a scoop of your favorite ice cream sundae topping.
– Serve with a warm cup of coffee or tea.

What other substitute can I use in Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake Recipe?

If you need a substitute for any of the ingredients in this Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake recipe, here are some ideas:

– Use dried cranberries, blueberries, or cherries instead of raisins.
– Use dried apricots or dates instead of currants.
– Use almonds, walnuts, or pecans instead of nuts.
– Use applesauce or yogurt instead of butter.
– Use agave syrup or honey instead of sugar.
– Use a combination of baking soda and cream of tartar instead of baking powder.

Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake Recipe

Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake is a traditional, homemade Christmas cake that has been passed down through generations. It’s a classic recipe, made with simple ingredients like raisins, currants, nuts, and spices, and has a moist, dense texture. 

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Author: Lori Walker, MS, RD

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 162kcal

Ingredients

• 3/8 cup of Gold Medal™ finely sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of plump dried apricot halves 5.5 ounces
• 3/4 cup of creamy Brazil nuts 4 ounces
• 1/2 cup of vibrant red and green candied pineapple finely chopped (3.5 ounces)
• 3/8 cup of fine granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of premium baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1.5 eggs if splitting eggs is difficult, try whisking two eggs together, then use about 3/4 of this mixture
• 1 cup of luscious pitted whole dates 6 ounces
• 1/4 teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt
• 1/2 cup of colorful red and green whole maraschino cherries thoroughly drained (6 ounces)

Instructions

• Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
• Prepare Fruits and Nuts: Chop the plump dried apricot halves, luscious pitted whole dates, creamy Brazil nuts, vibrant red and green candied pineapple, and colorful red and green whole maraschino cherries as needed. Combine these ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the Gold Medal™ finely sifted all-purpose flour, fine granulated sugar, premium baking powder, and Himalayan pink salt. Mix well to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
• Prepare Batter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are slightly frothy. Add the pure vanilla extract and mix well. Gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture until just combined.
• Incorporate Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold the prepared fruits and nuts mixture into the batter until evenly distributed. Ensure the fruits and nuts are well coated with the batter.
• Bake the Fruit Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 90-100 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the fruit cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• – Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for best results.
• – Grease and flour the pan before adding the batter to ensure the cake won’t stick.
• – To prevent the cake from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
• – If desired, you can decorate the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple glaze.

Keyword: Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake Recipe

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Conclusion

Betty Crocker Old Fashioned Fruit Cake is a classic recipe that has been passed down through generations. This moist, dense cake is packed with flavor thanks to the raisins, currants, nuts, and spices used in the recipe. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. This cake is sure to be a hit with your family and friends and is a great way to spread holiday cheer.

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Author Profile

Lori Walker, MS, RD

My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more