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Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars Recipe

Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 22 reviews

These Festive Christmas Fruitcake Bars are a delightful twist on the traditional holiday fruitcake, packed with mixed peel, candied cherries, pineapple, and dried dates. Soft, moist, and bursting with festive flavors, they are perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a sweet and chewy texture that’s easy to slice and serve.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla essence

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups plain 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

  1. Prepare the Baking Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan to ensure the fruitcake bars do not stick once baked.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process helps incorporate air into the batter, yielding a lighter texture in the finished bars.
  3. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the first egg, vanilla essence, and salt to the creamed mixture and mix thoroughly. Then add the remaining two eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure full incorporation.
  4. Add Flour and Mix Thoroughly: Gradually add the plain flour to the mixture and mix thoroughly to form a smooth batter. Make sure there are no lumps of flour for an even bake.
  5. Fold in the Fruit: Gently fold in the mixed peel, candied cherries, chopped candied pineapple, and chopped dried dates. Mix carefully to evenly distribute the fruit without crushing it.
  6. Bake Your Fruitcake Bars: Spread the batter evenly in the greased 9×13 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 set.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting for the best texture.
  • You can substitute the dried fruits with your favorites like raisins or dried cranberries based on preference.
  • Store fruitcake bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for up to 10 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend that measures similarly to all-purpose flour.
  • Optional: sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter for a spiced flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: fruitcake bars, Christmas dessert, holiday baking, festive fruitcake, candied fruit bars, easy holiday dessert

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/festive-christmas-fruitcake-bars-recipe/