German Spiced Fruitcake with Nuts and Preserves

German Fruitcake Recipe

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Servings: 12
Calories per Serving: 588.4

This German Fruitcake recipe has been a family favorite for generations, passed down through the years and loved by all who try it. Unlike the traditional fruitcake filled with candied fruits, this version focuses on the rich and comforting flavors of warm spices and nuts, making it a perfect holiday treat. If you’re one of those who wonders, “what is that green stuff” in the typical candied fruit, then this recipe will be a refreshing change. With butter, sugar, and fragrant spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, this cake is a moist, flavorful delight, and once you bake it, it will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Enjoy the nostalgia of this German-inspired fruitcake without the candied fruits you’ve been avoiding!

Ingredients

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the butter and sugar mixture:
   In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air into the batter, which results in a lighter texture for your fruitcake.

2. Add the eggs:
   Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Beat well after each addition to ensure the eggs are fully incorporated and the mixture becomes smooth.

3. Sift the dry ingredients:
   In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Sifting the dry ingredients helps to remove any lumps and ensures an even distribution of spices throughout the cake.

4. Add baking soda to buttermilk:
   In another small bowl, mix the baking soda into the buttermilk. This reaction will activate the baking soda and give the cake its desired rise during baking.

5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients:
   Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Begin with a little bit of the flour mixture, mix until just combined, then add a little of the buttermilk, and continue alternating until both are fully incorporated into the batter. This will help prevent the flour from clumping and ensure a smooth batter.

6. Fold in the preserves and nuts:
   Gently fold the fruit preserves and chopped nuts into the batter. The preserves add a touch of sweetness and moisture to the cake, while the nuts provide a nice crunch and texture.

7. Prepare the baking pan:
   Grease and flour a bundt pan to prevent the cake from sticking. Make sure the pan is well-coated, as this will help the cake come out of the pan easily after baking.

8. Bake the fruitcake:
   Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should have a golden-brown color and a slight spring when pressed gently.

9. Cool before removing from pan:
   Once the cake is done, let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This will allow the cake to firm up slightly, making it easier to remove from the pan without breaking.

10. Serve and enjoy:
    After the cake has cooled for a bit, gently remove it from the bundt pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, slice and serve. Enjoy this delicious, spiced fruitcake that will surely become a new family tradition.

This recipe is perfect for the holiday season or any occasion where you want to serve something a little different than the usual fruitcake. It’s full of rich spices, sweet preserves, and crunchy nuts, making it an unforgettable dessert your family will love. Give it a try and create lasting memories with a slice of this wonderful German Fruitcake!