If you don’t love fruitcake, you’re making it wrong.

At least, that’s what we think.

We tasked theSouthern LivingTest Kitchen we creating the best fruitcake they’ve ever madeand they delivered.

Southern Living Fruit Cake sliced and ready to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We simplified and streamlined.

What Is a Fruitcake?

A fruitcake is a dense, sweet loaf filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices.

Southern Living Fruit Cake fruit and brandy

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

But in the South, it’s never been out of fashion.

In fact, some of the best fruitcake makers in the world are located in Southern states.

They take their craft seriously.

Southern Living Fruit Cake batter ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

So long as you have about 2 1/2 pounds of dried fruit, your loaf will be spot on.

It’s time-consuming, yes.

We wouldn’t say that.

the top of a fruitcake loaf

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Review this brief outline before you get started and see for yourself.

The full recipe with step-by-step photos is further below:

Crunched for Time?

Then, cover with storage wrap and let the fruit soak for 30 minutes.

Southern Living Fruit Cake making the soaked fruit

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Drain, and continue with the recipe as written.

How Far in Advance Should You Make Fruitcake?

You should plan for the fruit to soak for 12 to 24 hours.

Southern Living Fruit Cake after soaking the fruit

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

(More on that below.)

So if you’re really a planner, you could getreallyahead with your fruitcake.

you’re able to make an alcohol-free fruitcake.

Southern Living Fruit Cake preparing the pans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Just use apple juice for the fruit soak, and brush the cake withsimple syrupafter baking.

How To Store Fruitcake

Fruitcake can be stored for up to 2 months.

More Fruitcake Recipes

A big fan of fruitcake?

Southern Living Fruit Cake beating the butter, sugar and orange zest together

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)chopped dried pitted apricots

1 1/2cups(about 8 oz.

)chopped pitted medjool dates

1cup(5 oz.

)golden raisins or raisins

1cup(5 3/4 oz.

Southern Living Fruit Cake adding the eggs and molasses to the batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)dried cherries

1cup(6 3/4 oz.

)glazed red cherries

1/2cup(2 3/4 oz.

)dried cranberries

1/2cup(about 1 1/4 oz.

Southern Living Fruit Cake whisking together the dry ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)chopped dried apple

1/2cup(about 1 oz.

)chopped glazed orange peel(optional)

1cup(8 oz.

)dark rum or brandy

Batter:

Cooking spray

1cup(8 oz.

Southern Living Fruit Cake adding the flour mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)slivered almonds, toasted

1cup(4 oz.

)pecan halves, toasted

1/2cup(4 oz.

Prepare the oven and loaf pans:

Preheat oven to 300F.

Southern Living Fruit Cake adding the soaked fruit to the batter

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Add molasses, vanilla, and almond extract; beat on medium speed until blended, about 30 seconds.

Fold in fruits and nuts:

Transfer batter to a very large bowl.

Fold in almonds, pecans, and Soaked Fruit until evenly distributed.

Southern Living Fruit Cake adding the batter o the pans

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cool and brush with rum:

Cool cakes in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Using parchment overhang as handles, lift cakes from pans; place cakes on wire rack.

Using a pastry brush, brush all sides of cakes with rum.

Southern Living Fruit Cake in pans after baking

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Fruit Cake brushing with brandy or rum

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox