Fruitcake is a dense, rich, and sweet cake that’s traditionally made with chopped candied or dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It’s often soaked in spirits like rum or brandy, which helps preserve the cake and enhance its flavors.

Fruitcake has a long history and is associated with various holiday traditions in many cultures around the world. The cake batter typically includes ingredients like flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and sometimes molasses or honey. The key characteristic of fruitcake is the abundance of candied or dried fruits such as raisins, currants, cherries, citrus peel, and sometimes dates or figs. These fruits are often soaked in alcohol before being added to the batter, giving the cake its distinctive taste and preserving the fruits.

Fruitcakes are often baked slowly at a low temperature to prevent burning and to ensure that the dense cake cooks evenly. After baking, some recipes call for additional soaking with alcohol to enhance the flavors and improve the cake’s keeping qualities.

In many cultures, fruitcake is associated with celebrations and holidays, especially Christmas. It’s often given as a gift, enjoyed as a dessert, or served with beverages like coffee or tea during festive occasions. While some people adore the rich, fruity flavors of fruitcake, others may find its density and intense sweetness an acquired taste.

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