Certain sights and sounds are ingrained in the holiday season, from twinkling lights to carols piping through store sound systems. Amid the shelves of holiday wares and delicacies, fruitcake makes its annual appearance. Often polarizing, this dense, candied-fruit-filled dessert has become a staple of holiday traditions worldwide. While fruitcake is frequently mocked as the ultimate regift, it’s time to see it in a new light. Here are some fun facts about this festive treat.
A World of Textures and Styles
Fruitcake isn’t a one-size-fits-all dessert. Its texture can vary from a cake-like consistency to a sweet bread similar to brioche. Around the world, different cultures have put their unique spin on the dish:
Italians enjoy the airy, fruit-filled panettone.
Try this: How to make authentic Italian Panettone – Your step-by-step guide
Germans savor stollen, often dusted with powdered sugar.
Try this: Classic German Stollen recipe for the holidays
Jamaicans serve rich, dark black cake, soaked in rum for weeks or months.
Try this: Traditional Jamaican Black Cake recipe – A rich holiday treat
Ancient Origins
The history of fruitcake is as rich as its flavor. Early versions weren’t even meant to be eaten. Historians believe ancient Egyptians baked fruitcakes to place in tombs, ensuring the deceased would have a sweet treat in the afterlife.
A Soldier’s Staple
Fruitcake’s durability and nutritional value made it a popular choice for military rations. Roman soldiers and Crusaders alike relied on the energy boost provided by this nutrient-dense food, which stored well during long campaigns.
Practically Indestructible
While fruitcake likely won’t last forever, it comes close. Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, a fruitcake can be reheated and enjoyed years after being baked. According to Tastemade, the dried fruit and starch crystals in the cake release stored water when warmed, rehydrating the dessert.
Royal Weddings and Space Travel
Fruitcake has made appearances at some of the most notable events in history:
- British royals such as Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, and Prince William served fruitcake at their wedding receptions.
- A fruitcake even traveled into space on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Although it was never eaten, it now resides at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Quality Ingredients Matter
Seth Greenberg, a New York City baker, argues that fruitcake’s bad reputation stems from poor ingredients. The overly sweet, neon-colored candied fruit often used in cheaper versions detracts from the dessert’s potential. High-quality fruitcakes made with brandy, glace cherries, apricots, figs, and dates can be a truly delicious holiday treat.
Record-Breaking Cakes
The average fruitcake weighs between two and three pounds. However, the heaviest fruitcake ever made tipped the scales at an astonishing 9,596 pounds, according to The Guinness Book of World Records. Despite its density, a serving contains only about 92 to 160 calories.
A Holiday Tradition
Love it or loathe it, fruitcake remains a holiday staple. Serious Eats reports that more than two million fruitcakes are sold each year during the festive season, proving that this misunderstood dessert continues to endure.
|TRY THIS: Traditional 19th Century Fruit Cake – A deliciously dense & rich holiday cake
So, before dismissing fruitcake this holiday season, consider giving it another try. With the right ingredients and a bit of holiday spirit, fruitcake might just surprise you!