Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 27th, 2021, is National Fruitcake Day which I will pass on ceelbrating. Now that my mom is gone, I don’t know anyone who eats Fruitcakes. Even though my Sherry my mother n Law bakes Fruitcakes ever year.
National Fruitcake Day
Across the United States, Fruitcake lovers young and old, celebrate National Fruitcake Day each year on December 27th.
Fruitcakes are made with chopped candied or dried Fruit, Nuts, Spices and sometimes soaked in Alcohol. The Fruitcake has been a Holiday gift tradition for many years.
Dating back to ancient Rome, one of the earliest known recipes for Fruitcake lists Pomegranate Seeds, Pine Nuts, and Raisins mixed into Barley Mash. Records indicate that in the Middle Ages, makers added Honey, Spices, and preserved Fruits. Recipes for Fruitcakes vary from Country to Country, depending on available ingredients and traditions.
In the 16th Century, two achievements crystallized to make Fruitcakes more affordable and accessible. First, Sugar from the American Colonies became abundant. Second, it was discovered that high concentrations of Sugar could preserve Fruits. These two actions resulted in excess Candied Fruit. Causing the Fruitcake making to grow.
- Typically, Americans produce Fruitcakes abundant in Fruit and Nuts
- In America, mail-order Fruitcake began in 1913.
- Charities often sell commercial Fruitcakes from catalogs as a fundraising event.
- In 1935, the expression “nutty as a Fruitcake” was coined. The phrase came about as a result of excess Nuts Southern Bakeries added to their Fruitcakes due to their access to cheap Nuts.
- Did you know most mass-produced Fruitcakes in America are Alcohol-free?
- Some traditional recipes include Liqueurs or Brandy. Bakers then complete the Fruitcake by covering the Fruitcake with Powdered Sugar.
- Some Fruitcake makers soaked their Fruitcakes in Brandy-soaked linens believing the Fruitcakes improved with age.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFruitcakeDay
Share your favorite Fruitcake story or recipe. Or share both. Invite family to enjoy Fruitcake with you. No matter how you celebrate, use #NationalFruitcakeDay to share on Social Media.
NATIONAL FRUITCAKE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar will continue to experiment with recipes until we get it right. We’ve not found the origins of this cornerstone of Holiday Baking, either.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
