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A Kid-Friendly Fruitcake Recipe

Daniel Hautzinger
A mother and daughter slice a fruitcake together
Credit: PBS KIDS

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Fruitcake may be a polarizing holiday dish, but if you make it fresh at home with your children, it can become a memorable new tradition – and it's easily customizable in terms of what fruit and nuts you include in it. Try this kid-friendly recipe from PBS KIDS' Jennie Preece.

Holiday Fruitcake

Ingredients

2 cups chopped nuts of your choice
1 1/2 cups chopped pitted dates
1 cup halved maraschino cherries or dried fruit such as raisins or pineapple
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 stick butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the nuts, dates, and cherries or other fruit.

2. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until all are combined.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, butter, and sugar together, then add the vanilla. Combine egg mixture with the nuts and flour. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 5 inch pan.

4. Bake for 1 hour and 35 minutes if using a loaf pan or 20 to 25 minutes if using a muffin tin. Check the cake with a toothpick and see if it comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and cooling completely on a wire rack.

5. Cut the cake and share with family and friends!