Mom‑Style Molasses Fruitcake — Full Recipe

✨ Introduction

Fruitcakes are one of those holiday confections people either love or love to hate — often because many store‑bought versions rely on that plastic‑like fondant and overly sweet, artificial fruit. But this homemade Molasses Fruitcake? It’s a different story. Warm with spices, rich with real dried and candied fruit, nuts and molasses, it’s everything a fruitcake should be — hearty, comforting, and full of depth. It’s the kind of cake your grandma might have made in a cozy kitchen, meant to be savored slowly with a cup of tea.

If you’ve been turned off by fruitcake before, give this recipe a try. With a good mix of textures and a spiced, moist crumb, it might just change your mind.

Ingredients (makes ~ 16–20 slices)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ teaspoon baking soda Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger (optional, for extra warmth) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ¼ teaspoon allspice (optional) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ¼ teaspoon salt Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• 1 cup packed brown sugar Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• Zest of 1 large orange (optional, adds fresh citrus brightness) Lord Byron’s Kitchen

• 2 large eggs, room temperature Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup molasses Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup whole milk (or dairy substitute) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

Fruit & Nut Mix

• 1 cup chopped dried apricots Lord Byron’s Kitchen

• ½ cup chopped dates (or prunes) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup dried cranberries (or raisins) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup raisins (dark or golden) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup chopped candied cherries (or candied fruit mix) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup chopped walnuts Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

• ½ cup chopped pecans (or other nuts of choice) Lord Byron’s Kitchen+1

✅ Note: Feel free to adjust fruit/nut types/amounts depending on what you have — fruitcake is flexible!

ADVERTISEMENT

Next→