Fruitcake Toss Day is on January 3rd. On National Fruitcake Day, take that Fruitcake you never got around to eating and send the #Fruitcake spiraling hundreds or thousands of feet into the air, depending on the power of your throwing arm.
Every year, a few hundred people gather in downtown Manitou Springs, Colorado, to hurl hundreds of Fruitcakes into the air by hand, cannon, or slingshot. Fruitcakes last for ages, so don’t throw out that Fruitcake we both know no one in your home will eat; throw it into the air!
Although that isn’t true about my home. If my mom were here she would eat the Fruitcake and even ask for a second or third Fruitcake. What about you and your family. Do you all like Fruitcake or not? If so I’ve shared a recipe with you below so you can make a Fruitcake to share with your friends or family.
For those that don’t know a Fruitcake is a Cake made with Candied or Dried Fruits and Nuts often soaked in Rum. In the United States, Fruitcakes have become a ridiculed dessert, with many jokes about their longevity and age.
From 20th century cartoons to TV programs like “Father Knows Best,” “The Donna Reed Show,” and “The Tonight Show,” there is an American subculture that involves good-natured jabs at Fruitcakes, which led to the first Great Fruitcake Toss in 1996.
Fruitcake Toss Day started when a group of locals in Manitou Springs, Colorado, decided to make some fun out of tossing their old Fruitcakes in the air. They went to a public Park and made a competition out of it. The day was so fun that it has been celebrated every year since then, save for a few canceled editions. Every year, hundreds of spectators and participants gather for the quirky tradition of tossing Fruitcakes.
Traditionally, people participate in various competitions that test strength, accuracy, and balance, all revolving around launching Fruitcakes into the air. The leftovers are then fed to a local Pig named ‘Jezebel.’
Over the years, the celebration has included a slew of advancements on the classic hand toss, including robotic or mechanical devices and a pneumatic weapon launch. In January 2007, when 8 Boeing engineers set the record for the highest Great Fruitcake Toss when their mock artillery piece, the “Omega 8,” flung a Fruitcake 1,430 feet into the air.
I have a question for you. Did you know that the Fruitcake from U.S. President Grover Cleveland’s Wedding in 1886 is still intact in his hometown of Caldwell, New Jersey? It doesn’t matter if you love or hate Fruitcakes they are probably one of the most regifted items in the U.S.A. Why not put Fruitcakes to good use by flinging them into glory in a grand gesture of hearty fun?
How to Celebrate Fruitcake Toss Day
- The most obvious way to celebrate Fruitcake Toss Day is by tossing a Fruitcake in the air. Just pick up any old Fruitcake lying around and hurl it into the air to see how far it will go.
- People can play a friendly game of Fruitcake catch on Fruitcake Toss Day. All you need are some friends to play with, and you can turn that neglected Fruitcake into a hot Potato.
- It probably sounds strange, but Fruitcakes aren’t just for tossing. You can Fruitcakes if you’re a Fruitcake lover, then you can take a bite out of your Fruitcake before tossing it during the festivities.
Fruitcake Toss Activities
- Make or purchase a stunning costume and join the annual Fruitcake costume competition at The Great Fruitcake Toss.
- Tackle the bias against Fruitcakes by baking the most fantastic Fruitcake at the “Too Good To Toss” annual bake-off.
- Test your accuracy skills by trying to hit a bull’s eye target with a Fruitcake at The Great Fruitcake Toss.
- Why throw Fruitcakes around with your hands when you can launch them from a cannon instead?
- Learn how to build a mini-catapult (and then build your own) at the Cool Science Exhibition of the Great Fruitcake Toss.
Why People Love Fruitcake Toss Day
There is nothing that gets the heart racing more than testing your (or your robot’s) throwing arm against friends, family, and strangers. From the cheers to the triumph of winning and earning bragging rights, we love the healthy competition that takes place on Fruitcake Toss Day.
People have to admit throwing Fruitcakes into the air sounds like a buttload of fun, and it is. People can get an amazing rush of endorphins from hurling tens of Fruitcakes into the Sky as far as you can. It’s therapeutic even.
You don’t need a special license to participate in Fruitcake Toss Day. In fact, you don’t need to travel to Colorado to join in the fun. No matter where you are, you can participate in Fruitcake Toss Day celebrations as long as you have a Fruitcake which you can bake or purchase.
Recipe for Fruitcake
Ingredients
- 2 c. golden raisins
- 2 c. chopped dried apricots
- 1 c. chopped dried figs
- 1 c. chopped candied ginger
- 1 c. brandy, whiskey, or apple cider, plus more for brushing
- Nonstick baking spray with flour
- 3 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. apple or pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 c. light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 c. candied cherries
- 1 1/2 c. chopped nuts, like pecans, walnuts or almonds
Directions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the raisins, apricots, figs, ginger, and brandy (sub whiskey or apple cider if you like). Cover and let soak for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring a few times during the soak.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F. Butter or spray 2 (9×5-inch) loaf pans with baking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. With mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture, beating just until combined. With a spatula, fold in the candied cherries, nuts, and soaked fruit. Divide the batter evenly among the two baking pans.
- Bake for 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the cake to release it from the edges. Remove and place them on a cooling rack. Generously brush tops and sides of the cakes with brandy or whiskey (you can also use simple syrup). Cool completely. Store the cakes tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 6 weeks.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
