Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars Recipe
These Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars are a delightful holiday treat packed with a colorful mix of candied fruits and dates. Soft, buttery, and richly flavored with brown sugar and vanilla, these bars combine the traditional essence of fruitcake in an easy-to-make, sliceable form perfect for sharing throughout the festive season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, Christmas
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
Dry Ingredients
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups plain flour (all-purpose flour)
Fruit Mix
- 1 cup mixed peel
- 1 cup candied cherries (red and green, quartered or chopped)
- 1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple
- 1/2 cup chopped, pitted dried dates
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent the fruitcake bars from sticking during baking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, creating a lighter texture in the bars.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add one egg, the vanilla essence, and a pinch of salt to the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly. Then add the remaining two eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate them.
- Add Flour and Mix Thoroughly: Gradually sift the plain flour into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to combine without overworking the batter. Ensure the flour is fully incorporated for a smooth, consistent batter.
- Fold in the Fruit Mix: Gently fold the mixed peel, candied cherries, chopped candied pineapple, and dried dates into the batter, distributing the fruit evenly.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×13-inch baking pan and spread evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the fruitcake bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into bars. Store in an airtight container to preserve freshness.
Notes
- Using room temperature ingredients helps the batter mix more evenly.
- Ensure eggs are fully incorporated before adding the next to avoid curdling.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center – it should come out clean.
- Allow bars to cool fully before slicing to maintain their shape.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature; these bars can last up to a week.
- For a richer flavor, soak the dried fruits in a splash of brandy or rum overnight before adding.
Keywords: Christmas fruitcake bars, festive dessert, holiday baking, candied fruit bars, easy fruitcake
Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/festive-christmas-fruitcake-bars-recipe/
