White Fruitcake
This White Fruitcake is baked 4 weeks in advance and covered with a wine-soaked cloth, resulting in a moist and flavorful fruitcake. It’s made with lots of fresh pecans, candied cherries, and pineapple. It’s delicious!!

STOP!! Don’t run!! When you think about fruitcake, you probably think about those nasty little store-bought cakes that get used as gag gifts at Christmas. They are tasteless and dry and the only flavor is that of the bitter citrus rind in the recipe. If I was starving on a deserted island, I might be able to eat one. Store-bought fruitcakes give fruitcake a really bad reputation and it’s really a shame because a real homemade fruitcake is actually delicious. So please don’t run away.

I’m partnering with Paradise Fruit today to show you what real homemade fruitcake is all about, starting with this delicious White Fruitcake. I’ve made this fruitcake for years using their candied fruit.

This White Fruitcake recipe has been in my family for decades! I couldn’t imagine Christmas without this cake gracing our dessert table. I’ve made this cake several times, but my sister Nancy usually does the honor, while I make other desserts. Last year I decided to take pictures while Nancy made the cake, so I could post it this year. Below, I’ll show you the easy steps for making this wonderful old-fashioned cake.
Please read the steps and tips below before making this cake!
STEPS AND TIPS FOR MAKING THE CAKE
PREPARING THE CAKE PAN

You can use an angel food or tube cake pan to bake this cake. The bottom of the pan needs to be lined with either parchment paper or a piece of a brown paper bag. Above are some pictures of my sister Nancy, lining the pan. She used brown paper, but you can use parchment paper as well.
- Butter or grease the bottom of the pan. Place the paper round on the bottom and butter or grease the top of the paper.
Note: This cake can also be baked in 5 mini loaf pans. You can purchase the disposable pans in a pack of 5 to 6. When baking the mini loaves, I decorate the top of each one with 1 each, green cherry, pecan, and red cherry.
Preparing the batter

This batter is a very thick batter. Once you add the fruit and nuts, do not overmix. Mix just enough to incorporate them.
- Mix the wet ingredients, followed by the dry
- Add the candied fruit and mix in by hand with a wooden spoon
- Add the pecans and mix again
- Add the raisins and mix once again
Baking the cake

Decorate the top of the cake prior to baking, with whole green and red cherries and whole pecan halves.

The cake bakes at a low temperature of 275 degrees for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, depending on your oven. When the cake is done, it will be a golden brown on top. If you check it with a long skewer or toothpick, it should come out clean.
Note: It’s important to not leave the cake in the pan overnight, or it will become soggy. Allow the cake to rest for 20 minutes and invert it onto a wire rack to completely cool.
Soaking and Storing White Fruitcake

Feel free to use any sweet or semi-sweet wine on this cake. This is the wine my sister used. My mother and I always used Mogan David. Use your favorite.

Once the cake has completely cooled, place a piece of thin white cloth or cheesecloth over the cheesecake. Drizzle 1/2 cup of wine over the cloth. Wrap the cake tightly in foil and place in an airtight container or in a pot with a lid. My sister Nancy always wraps the cake in foil and places it in a pot with a lid.
- This cake takes 4 weeks to cure. It’s important to make it plenty in advance before Christmas. My family always makes it the weekend after Thanksgiving, and sometimes even the weekend before, but definitely no later than the week after.
- Check the cake after the third week!! If the top of the cake feels the least bit moist, leave it alone. If it feels dry, pour about 1/8 cup more wine over the cheesecloth. If it feels extremely dry, add up to 1/4 cup but no more. I have never added more than 1/8 cup of additional wine to mine and it has always turned out just right.
- Store the cake in a cool dry place, such as your garage. Don’t worry about the cake staying fresh. The wine acts as a preservative and cures it.
- Make sure to allow this cake to completely cool before storing it. Otherwise, it will sweat and become soggy.
Tips for gifting

This White Fruitcake can be made into mini fruitcakes for gifting. The batter makes 5 mini loaves. Here are a few tips for making mini loaves…
- Bake them in small disposable pans. Simply spray the pans with nonstick cooking spray that has flour in it. Check the baking time a little bit sooner. They might get done sooner than the large cake.
- Place cherries and pecan halves on the top of each one. This looks festive!
- Place a small cheesecloth or plain white cotton cloth on top of each one. Soak each cloth in wine.
- Place the cakes together in a large airtight container and check the wine cloth each week for dryness.
- Wrap each one securely in plastic wrap before gifting.

You might also like Danish Fruitcake.
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White Fruitcake
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Bake
Description
This White Fruitcake is slowly cured over a four week period and is simply loaded with candied fruit and pecans. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have any nasty citrus rind like those nasty store-bought fruitcakes either.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour, spoon & leveled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk or wine (I use milk)
- 4 eggs
- 8 ounces red candied cherries, divided
- 8 ounces green candied cherries, divided
- 8 ounces candied pineapple, cut in half lengthwise
- 4 cups coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cups golden baking raisins
- 20 pecan halves for decorating the top of cake
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup sweet or semi-sweet or sweet wine for soaking the top of cake.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Place oven rack in the lowest position.
- Butter or grease the bottom of an angel food or tube cake pan. Line the pan with either parchment paper or a piece of brown paper bag. Butter or grease the top of the paper round. See pictures and instructions above recipe.
- From the 8 ounces each of red and green cherries, pick out and set aside, 10 each of the best green and red cherries to use for decorating the top of the cake. Cut the remaining cherries, along with the pineapple in half and set aside with the 20 pecan halves.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.
- Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or use a hand mixer. Mix on medium high speed for at least 2 minutes until the mixture is light smooth and creamy. (It will no longer have a gritty sugary appearance). Add the eggs , one at a time, and mix to thoroughly incorporate. Add the dry ingredients and milk alternately, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stop mixing just before the last addition of dry ingredients are totally incorporated. You’ll see some little streaks of flour in the mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon, add the candied fruit and mix to incorporate. Batter will be very thick and hard to mix. Do not over mix. Add the pecans and mix again, followed by the golden raisins.
- Spoon about 1/2 of the batter into the cake pan and use a spoon or spatula to smooth out the thick batter. Spoon the remaining batter into the pan and smooth the batter out again.
- Place the decorative cherries and pecans on the top of the batter, arranging them carefully. See picture above recipe.
- Bake cake for at least 3 hours before checking it. Using a long wooden or metal skewer that will go all the way through the cake to check it for doneness. Do not remove the cake from the oven until it is golden brown on top and the skewer comes out clean with no sticky doughy crumbs on it. Ovens vary! Your cake could take anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, depending on your oven. Mine took 4 hours.
- Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the sides of the cake. Gently invert the cake onto a wire rack, place another rack on top of the cake, and gently flip the cake over onto the second wire rack. The top of the cake should be facing upward. Allow the cake to completely cool. It’s important to not leave this cake in the pan overnight or it will become soggy.
- Once the cake has completely cooled, place a piece of thin white cloth or cheesecloth over the cheesecake. Drizzle 1/2 cup of wine over the cloth. Wrap the cake tightly in foil and place in an airtight container or in a pot with a lid. See pictures above.
- Check the cake at the end of the third week. If the cake seems slightly moist leave it alone. If it seems dry to the touch, add about 1/8 cup more of the wine to the cheesecloth. You don’t want to add too much! If it’s extemely dry add up to 1/4 cup, but no more or the cake will become soggy later. I’ve never added more than the 1/8 cup.
- Keep leftover cake in an airtight container. For the freshest cake, eat within 5 days.
Notes
- This cake freezes beautifully. I wrap and freeze individual pieces and remove one at a time later, when I’m in the mood for a piece.
This is so like my Aunts. Without Citron everybody ought to love it.
Citrus fruit has killed the reputation of fruitcakes!
It’s not Christmas or family without fruitcake!
Hi Mary,
I totally agree with you. Citrus rind ruins a fruitcake (my own opinion of course), but if I had to eat a store-bought fruitcake, I’m afraid I’d starve first. It’s sad how citrus rind has ruined the reputation of fruitcake. There’s nothing like a good homemade one! 🙂
Cindy
Neglected to add to bake 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 250. (The smaller pans are usually done at 2 hrs.)
This recipe sounds wonderful! Is there any way to store it without the use of alcohol?
Hi Marla,
Not really. The cake will be dry. That’s why it’s important to soak it with the wine for up to 4 weeks. It draws in moistness and also flavor. I’ve always used Mogan David wine. It’s not a strong wine. Hope this was helpful.
Cindy
Yes, you can use apple juice, simple syrup and what I use is orange juice and orange blosso honey mixed together. I brush mine with it and quarter the cake and freeze it. After thawing it is so moist and awesome. You’d never know it had been frozen.
If still interested, I make my family’s white fruit cake every year and eat it right away. It’s delicious and moist! Similar recipe but no wine, milk, or curing involved.:
2 C Butter, 2 C sugar, 6 eggs, 1.5 oz lemon extract, 1 lb golden raisins, 3 C Flour (+ 1 over the fruit), 1 qt chopped pecans (+ whole ones for decoration). 16 oz each of green cherries, red cherries, and pineapple chopped into 4ths (reserving some for decoration). Combine chopped fruit with raisins, top with flour and mix to coat. Mix in pecans. Mix in the batter, then separate into greased pans. (Makes one large angel food tube pan, two loaf pans). It does freeze well also.
I would have liked to make this fruitcake. I love fruitcake and go to Waco Tx to visit the famous Collin Street bakery to purchase my fruitcake every year. I’m allergic to alcohol and won’t be able to make your recipe.
I brush my white fruitcake with a mix of pulp free orange juice and orange blossom honey mixed together, you absolutely don’t have to use alcohol. Apple juice and simple syrup work as well.
Can this fruitcake be soaked in nonalcoholic beverage. I like the sparkling wine which is nonalcoholic. I know it’s after Christmas but just found recipe
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
I don’t see why not. Any liquid will result in adding moisture, although I’m not sure about the flavor results.
How about soaking in Bourbon?
Hi Rosie, Yes you certainly can soak it in bourbon.
What can you use in place of wine
Hi Hilda, Some people use bourbon. I personally haven’t tried anything else. I use the Mogan David cooking wine. The cake will not taste like wine.
I MADE THIS RECIPE LAST YEAR AND ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. IT WAS SO SIMILAR TO WHAT MY MOTHER AND I MADE SO MANY YEARS AGO AND BROUGHT BACK SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES. I USED PEACH BRANDY TO DO THE SOAKING.
THIS YEAR i MIGHT LIKE TO TRY THE DISPOSABLE MINI PANS INSTEAD OF BREAD SIZE LOAF PANS. DO YOU LINE THOSE WITH PARCHMENT PAPER AS WELL? HAVE YOU EVER USED ANY TYPE OF LINERS THAT YOU CAN BUY, SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY USE FOR MUFFINS? DO THEY WORK WELL TO FIT PANS OR NOT. THANKS FOR THIS DELICIOUS RECIPE.
Hi Gail, I’m so glad you like the fruitcake. When I use the small disposable pans, I simply spray them with the cooking spray that has flour in it. Alternately, you can simply grease and lightly flour them. No need for liners. They are easy to remove. You can even spread the sides of the pan open more to remove them, but I’ve never had an issue. Happy baking…the holidays will be here before we know it. 🙂
To keep the cake moist our family soak the fruit in orange juice. We do not use alcohol. The cake turns out great. People love it.
Can this be made in a 10” springform pan?
Hi Casey, I’m afraid not. The springform pan isn’t quite tall enough.
Hi Cindy,
I’ve really enjoyed your recipes and advice.
Regarding your Christmas cake recipe would it be possible to substitute some of the candied fruit for currants, raisins and similar?
Many thanks.
Hi MaryAnne, Certainly! I think this cake would be great with any fruit or nuts…just not that citrus rind. Have a great Thanksgiving! 🙂
I can’t wait to make this treat! My question is this: does the recipe require vanilla or spices, such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, or ginger?
Hi Marnie, No, this is one cake that needs no spices. It’s delicious!
So similar to the recipe I have been using for 35 years. My mother received the recipe from a co-worker and dowsed it with Apricot Brandy. My change was to use Amaretto instead. The original recipe dictated a 3 or 4 week standing time. I have found it only takes a few days, although I originally waited the prescribed time. I also found the White House recipe was VERY similar.
Hi . Can you use self – rising flour for making fruitcake?
I Edna, I don’t suggest it. This cake isn’t suppose to rise. It’s suppose to be dense and heavy, and I’m not sure how much it would actually rise.
Can I soak the fruit in rum first?
Hi Flo, Yes you can, but it’s best if you do it right after Thanksgiving for the best moistness and flavor.
After cooling and wrapping the cake and in an airtight container… do you leave it out or can you let it stay in the frig for those 4 weeks?
Hi Durema, You don’t need to refrigerate it. It’s totally up to you. I feel that it absorbs the flavors better without being so cold. You can place it in a cool place, but you really don’t need to refrigerate it.
Can you cut the fruit smaller than in half? Also, the fruit that’s put aside goes on top with the 20 pecan halves – correct? Your instructions say set the fruit that’s cut in half and the pecans to the side. This will be my 1st time baking a fruitcake and I want to make sure I do it right. Thanks so much.
Hi Helen, You’re correct. Set aside the pecan halves and fruit for the top. The fruit that’s in the cake can be cut smaller if you prefer.
Thanks for the quick reply. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
I am going to try your cake this year!
I see comments about no alcohol -in today’s society there are many options and you can get flavoured drinks that there is no alcohol. Check in the grocery stores and ask the grocery manager about non-alcoholic beverages that taste like their alcoholic counterpart.
Personally I like either dark rum or brandy for my fruit cakes. I have used cherry and peach brandy but prefer plain brandy. I had a friend try whisky! She liked it but I found it a bit strong for my taste buds, mind you by the time she was done cooking she didn’t care what it tasted like ( I think she shared the whisky LOL).
Thanks Cindy!
Hi Elizabeth, You’re welcome! Let us know what you end up using and how you like it. I like the Mogan David wine, because it’s not too strong, and I don’t drink it, lol.
Hello,
I’m baking this tomorrow in time for Christmas. You only mention buttering the bottom of the pan and the parchment paper. Am I buttering and flouring the side of the pan too. I don’t want to mess this up since it’s my 1st time baking it. Thanks.
This sounds wonderful! Can you bake it in a Bundt pan, if so would the time and temperature be the same?
Hi Chris, If it’s the larger bundt pan it should work. The baking time should be the same.
My husband, brother-in-law, and mother-in-law all loved the fruitcake. I made 1 in a bundt pan and 3 loaves. Thanks so much for a great and easy recipe. I’ll be baking it again!
I just made your fruit cake! It’s cooling. After it’s cooled, I’m soaking it with Megan David. Can’t wait to try it.
Is the temperature really 275?
Yes
Baking the cakes in the mini loaf pans approximately how long do they take to bake.
Hi Fran, The small cakes take between 1 hour and 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on your oven. 🙂
I don’t drink alcohol but I realize this help preserve the cake. Is there ANYTHING I can substitute for the wine? I read the Danish Fruitcake recipe, and while it sounds good, this one sounds better to me.
Thanks,
Susan M
Hi Susan, (updated comment)…This is my favorite by far of the two cakes. However, my sister has made this cake for 40 years. She tried grape juice once and the cake molded. If you make this cake 4 weeks before eating, it needs the alcohol to keep it from molding. I see some readers commenting they use orange juice. I’m not sure if they are making the cake 4 weeks in advance or right at the holiday. This cake really needs the 4 weeks to obtain the best flavor. Also, the alcohol mostly cooks out of the cake. You’re not tasting the alcohol. I always use Morgan David wine. I hope this helps! Happy holidays!! 🙂
We always had fruit cake for both holidays. Parents never used wine, they used either brim or bourban, depending on what was in the cupboard. There was so much fruit, the loaves were heavy! On the holiday, they would slice the loaf and steam the fruitcake. My Mother made hard sauce the dat before with butter, vanilla, 10x sugar and refrigerated it. After plating the fruit cake slice, hard sauce was added to it (thin slices) and then topped with bourbon laced whipped cream!! YUM !!!!!
Sorry ….Rum , not brim!! Day before not dot….
I turned the cake pan over to take out the cake, and a large chunk stuck to the bottom of the pan and the cake left moist residue on the bottom; I wouldn’t call it doughy, but not dry or burnt either. I stuck toothpicks into the cake before taking out of oven, a few slightly moist but dry enough crumbs were on them. Used a butter knife around the edges before taking out and noticed a few moist spots so it had me wondering. But this is my first time using this recipe so I wasn’t quite sure how moist it should be right out of the oven. It had baked for 2 hr 50 mins so I assumed it was done. The top is golden brown and doesn’t easily press down. I didn’t use parchment paper around the pan so could this be the reason for the result or does it sound like it should’ve been baked longer?
Hi Connor, It doesn’t sound underbaked. I would definitely line the pan next time with paper. Did you let it completely cool down. It has so much fruit and nuts in it, it takes quite a while to cool down.