Have you been naughty or nice? From what I understand, some bearded guy in a red suit is keeping track. He gets his assistants to double check when they are not working in the factory or feeding the animals. Me? I strive to be nice and admit to a bit of naughtiness every now and then. Where that puts me on a list, I don’t know. Anyway, when it comes to bundts, Spiced Fruitcake is quite nice with a little naughty in the mix.
I know, I know – Fruitcake. You may be thinking “quite nice” and fruitcake do not go together. If so, get that terrible brick they sell in stores out of your mind. This bundt is completely different. Completely. It’s a walnut spice cake with brandy soaked cherries and raisins. I’m calling it fruitcake because the cherries are candied ones. Otherwise it would be a fruity spice cake.
What is the naughty part of Spiced Fruitcake? It’s the brandy simply because a cake with libation in it is unheard of with some folks. You know that isn’t the case with me. I’ll bake and cook with alcoholic beverages any day of the week and then some. Aside from wine, most of the liquor I have is used more often for cooking than drinking.
Naughty or Nice is this month’s Bundt Bakers theme. It’s such a fun one too. I’m so glad our host Olivia of Liv for Cake decided on it. Scroll down to see the list of bundts baked for the theme. As always, each one is a click away. Also look at Peppermint Cappuccino Cake and Eggnog Pound Cake for more holiday bundts I’ve baked.
Spiced Fruitcake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Confectioners sugar for topping
Instructions
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Combine raisins, cherries, and brandy in a small bowl. Allow to set for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
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Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour an 8 or 10 cup Bundt pan.
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Beat shortening and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat to combine.
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Whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
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Add flour mixture alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
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Stir in walnuts, raisins, cherries, and brandy.
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Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly in pan.
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Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool cake in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
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Lightly dust top of cake with confectioners sugar.
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Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil when not serving. Cake is best a day or two after it is baked.
Recipe Notes
Spiced Fruitcake is a delightful combination of spice cake and traditional fruitcake. It has raisins, candied cherries, walnuts and warm spices.
Recipe adapted from the Nordic Ware Bundt Cookbook published in 2004 (no longer in print).
Are you looking for a festive dessert to bake? Take a look at these holiday bundt cake recipes by talented bakers around the world:
- Amaretto Almond Bundt Cake by I Bake He Shoots
- Angel Food Bundt Cake with Cranberry Filling and Lemon Glaze by Taking On Magazines
- Anise Bundt Cake by I Love Bundt Cakes
- Bundtcake Especiado by La Mejor Manera de Hacer…
- Candy Cane Bundt Cake by Cali’s Cuisine
- Cherry Chocolate Bundt Cake by Basic N Delicious
- Chocolate Gingerbread Bundt Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Christmas Fruitcake by Tea and Scones
- Christmas Rose Bundt Cake by Living the Gourmet
- Cranberry Spice Bundt Cake by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Eggless Chocolate Gingerbread Bundts with Cream Cheese Frosting by I Camp In My Kitchen
- Eggnog Pound Cake by Palatable Pastime
- Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache and Truffles by How to Philosophize with Cake
- Hot Buttered Rum Bundt by Food Lust People Love
- Maple Pecan Bundt Cake by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Old Fashioned Marble Cake by Brooklyn Homemaker
- Peppermint Candy Cane Bundt Cake by The Freshman Cook
- Rum & Eggnog Bundt Cake by Liv for Cake
- Spiced Fruitcake by Magnolia Days
- Spiced Ginger Bundt Cake with Caramel Brandy Sauce by All That’s Left Are The Crumbs
- Spiced Rum Eggnog Bundt Cake by Making Miracles
- Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice Cake by Eat, Drink, Be Mighty
- Super Naughty Chocolate Whiskey Bacon Jam Bundt Cake by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite A Whiskered Accomplice
What is Bundt Bakers? It’s a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bundts with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Bundt Bakers Pinterest board for incredible bundt cake recipes and inspiration. Stacy of Food Lust People Love heads up our group and has a #BundtBakers page where you can find information and links to the recipes for each month.
How is the monthly theme determined? We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. Links for all of our past events and more information about BundtBakers can be found on our homepage.
Tux | Brooklyn Homemaker says
I never thought I’d say this, but your fruitcake looks delicious! I love a nice nutty spice cake so this cake sounds right up my alley!
That guy with the beard sounds like a bit of a creep though! haha!
Medeja says
I can imagine this bundt fruit cake tastes so good.. looks really nice too! 🙂
Stacy says
I wish I could say that most of my alcohol consumption is in baking, but sadly, it is not. That said, I am most appreciative of an alcohol-enhanced cake. Cocktails and cake. Best of both worlds! Love your fruitcake with those red cherries peeking out, Renee!
Olivia @ livforcake says
This is beautiful Renee! This is one fruitcake I would happily line up for, sounds delicious 🙂 Thanks so much for participating this month! 🙂
Lara Tartacadabra says
Your Fruitbundt cake looks spectacular!! Just made a bookmark for it 😉 Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!! Xx from Spain
Amy says
Love it, we have at least one or two for the holidays.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
A perfect holiday treat. Merry Christmas Renee.
Priya srinivasan says
Love that plumpy bundt and all those candied fruits and spices make it more festive!! Gorgeous bundt!!!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
I’d try a bit of this homemade fruitcake! It looks great, especially with all those warm winter spices 🙂
Colleen says
This is the type of fruitcake that no one could ever dream of regifting! Looks amazing!
Mondo | I bake he shoots says
you soaked fruit in brandy. you got me! love that you kept it simple with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
It must be the theme of the month but when I read your post title I read “Spiked” instead of “Spiced”. 🙂
I’ve never had fruit cake but I’d gladly start with your version!
Felice says
This cake looks so nice and innocent until you take a bite – then the naughty kicks in. You can never go wrong with soaking fruit in alcohol, and then using them in a cake, although to be completely honest I’ve drunk plenty of alcohol served in fruit too :).
Mele Kalikimaka.
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
What a beautiful cake! I love that you used just candied cherries and golden raisins because it looks so classy and formal, even for a bundt. Merry Christmas!
Laura Dembowski says
I am a fan of fruitcake and this one sounds lovely! I like the bundt shape. Merry Christmas, Renee!
Catherine says
This is a wonderful fruitcake for the holiday festivities!! I hope your Christmas season is full of peace and good cheer. xo Catherine