Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars Recipe
Delight in the rich and festive flavors of these Christmas Fruitcake Bars, which combine a buttery, soft batter with an abundance of mixed peel, candied cherries, pineapple, and dates for a perfect holiday treat that’s easy to bake and share.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 to 15 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, Christmas
- Diet: Vegetarian
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
Fruits
- 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 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 is light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a lighter texture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add one egg along with the vanilla essence and salt to the creamed mixture and mix thoroughly. Add the remaining two eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
- Add Flour and Mix Thoroughly: Gradually add the plain flour to the wet mixture, mixing well to form a smooth batter without lumps.
- Fold in the Fruit: Gently fold in the mixed peel, candied cherries, chopped candied pineapple, and chopped dates. Mix carefully to evenly distribute the fruit without crushing it.
- Bake Your Fruitcake Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 40-45 minutes until the top is lightly browned and the batter is no longer wet.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Transfer the bars onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve and enjoy your festive fruitcake bars.
Notes
- Ensure all eggs and butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Fold fruit in gently to avoid breaking pieces and uneven distribution.
- Check doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; it should come out clean.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Feel free to substitute some fruits with nuts for added texture if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 15 bars)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Christmas fruitcake bars, festive dessert, holiday baking, mixed peel bars, candied fruit bars
