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Grandma’s Molasses Fruitcake

Name: Grandma's Molasses Fruitcake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 3 loaves (16 slices each).
Ingredients: 3-1/4 cups dried currants; 2-2/3 cups raisins; 1 cup chopped walnuts; 2/3 cup chopped candied citron or candied lemon peel; 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided; 1 cup butter, softened; 2 cups packed brown sugar; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 1 cup molasses; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; 1 cup strong brewed coffee

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. + chilling Bake: 1-1/4 hours + cooling

Makes

3 loaves (16 slices each)

Updated: Apr. 24, 2022

This dense, dark, moist fruitcake was my grandmother's recipe. The flavor just gets better and better as it sits in the fridge, so be sure to make it ahead! —Debbie Harmon, Lavina, Montana

Grandma's Molasses Fruitcake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

3-1/4 cups dried currants
2-2/3 cups raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup chopped candied citron or candied lemon peel
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
1 cup strong brewed coffee

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°. Grease and flour three 9x5-in. loaf pans. Line bottoms with waxed paper; grease and flour the paper. Combine currants, raisins, walnuts, candied citron and 1/4 cup flour. Toss to coat; set aside.
Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. In another bowl, whisk baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and remaining flour; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee. Stir into currant mixture and mix well.
Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 days to blend flavors. Slice and bring to room temperature before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Test Kitchen Tip

To soak fruitcakes in alcohol: Using a toothpick, poke holes on all sides of fruitcakes until well perforated. Pour about 1 cup of desired alcohol such as brandy, rum or whiskey into a bowl. Brush some of the alcohol over all sides of fruitcakes. Cut three 36x17-in. pieces of cheesecloth. Let each piece soak in the bowl of alcohol; gently squeezing out some of the excess. Place each fruitcake on a piece of cheesecloth and tightly wrap cheesecloth around fruitcake. Wrap each loaf tightly in foil and place in the refrigerator. Remove foil and brush each cheesecloth-covered loaf with an additional 2-3 tablespoons of alcohol once a week for up to one month.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 210 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.

Grandma’s Molasses Fruitcake

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts

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