Craving that legendary rich fruit cake holiday tradition everyone loves? This Claxton Fruit Cake Recipe perfectly recreates the famous Claxton Bakery magic with tender pound cake texture studded with colorful candied fruits and pecans.
Ideal for gifting and celebrations! Learn how to make Claxton Fruit Cake using simple ingredients for Claxton Fruit Cake that tastes even better after aging for weeks.
My Story With This Comforting Claxton Fruit Cake
Grandma received her Claxton Fruit Cake every Christmas since 1962 from Aunt Helen in Georgia—we’d carefully slice that dense, fruity treasure throughout the entire winter season!
I spent years experimenting to crack their homemade secret formula until neighbors started lining up at my door for loaves.
One bite transports everyone straight back to grandma’s holiday table filled with laughter and warm memories. Homemade tradition always tastes richer!
Equipment List
- Two 9×5-inch loaf pans
- Large mixing bowls (two sizes)
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling racks
Recipe Overview
- Recipe Name: Claxton Fruit Cake
- Servings: 24 slices (2 loaves)
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours (+aging time)
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Calories: 380 kcal per serving
Ingredients for Claxton Fruit Cake
Fruit & Nuts:
- 2 cups red candied cherries, halved
- 2 cups green candied cherries, halved
- 2 cups diced candied pineapple
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates
- 4 cups pecan halves, lightly toasted
Cake Batter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (divided)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy (or pineapple juice)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Aging Glaze: 1/4 cup brandy + 1/4 cup orange juice
These ingredients for Claxton Fruit Cake guarantee authentic bakery richness and texture.
Instructions for Claxton Fruit Cake
1. Prepare Loaf Pans
Grease pans generously with butter. Line with parchment paper leaving overhang handles.
2. Measure All Fruits
Combine candied cherries, pineapple, raisins, dates in largest mixing bowl.
3. Toast Pecans Golden
Spread pecan halves on baking sheet. Toast 350°F 8 minutes until fragrant.
4. Flour Coat Fruits
Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over fruit mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
5. Cream Butter Perfectly
Beat softened butter and sugar 5 minutes until light, fluffy, pale yellow.
6. Add Eggs Gradually
Add eggs one at time, beating 30 seconds after each addition completely.
7. Whisk Dry Ingredients
Combine remaining 2½ cups flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon together.
8. Mix Wet Liquids
Stir orange juice, brandy, vanilla extract in measuring cup thoroughly.
9. Add Dry Ingredients
Add 1/3 dry ingredients to batter. Mix on lowest speed just combined.
10. Add Liquid Mixture
Pour half wet ingredients into batter. Mix until barely incorporated.
11. Fold Fruits Carefully
Add floured fruits and toasted pecans. Fold gently by hand until distributed.
12. Divide Batter Evenly
Spoon batter equally between two prepared loaf pans. Smooth tops gently.
13. Bake Low Temperature
Bake 300°F 1 hour 45 minutes until golden and toothpick tests clean.
14. Glaze Warm Cakes
Mix brandy and orange juice. Brush generously over warm fruit cakes.
15. Cool Completely
Cool cakes in pans 30 minutes. Transfer to wire racks fully.
16. Age for Perfection
Wrap tightly in cheesecloth. Store airtight containers 2 weeks minimum.
Read More: Cherry Blossom Mochi Recipe
Cooking Tips and Simple Recipe Variations
- Room temperature ingredients blend smoothly creating tender moist crumb everyone expects.
- Flour-coated fruits prevent sinking creating even distribution through entire cake.
- Low slow baking prevents drying out delicate fruit pieces completely.
- Monthly brandy brushing during storage develops increasingly complex flavor profile.
- Pineapple juice perfectly substitutes brandy maintaining needed fruit moisture content.
- Glacéed cherries essential—regular maraschino cherries release excess liquid.
- Substitute half pecans with walnuts creates delightful nutty flavor variation everyone enjoys.
Little History Behind This Comfort Food
Claxton Bakery began in 1913 Georgia when Albert Parker started selling fruitcakes door-to-door.
Great Depression actually saved business as economical fruitcakes fed families luxuriously.
WWII soldiers worldwide craved “Claxton cakes” creating nationwide fame.
Still family-owned operation producing 6 million pounds annually maintains handmade tradition beautifully!
What to Serve With This Dish
Claxton Fruit Cake shines beautifully all alone as holiday centerpiece! Perfect companions include strong black coffee, hot spiced cider or creamy eggnog.
Create stunning sweet-savory boards with blue cheese wedges, sharp aged cheddar.
Top warm slices with freshly whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream for dessert perfection.
Occasion or Event Ideas
- Christmas gifting wrapped beautifully with ribbon
- Holiday open house entertaining centerpiece
- New Year’s Day champagne brunch essential
- Afternoon tea party showstopper
- Valentine’s Day romantic dessert boxes
- Wedding favor individual wrapped slices
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Cheesecloth wrapping plus airtight tins perfect 3 months room temperature storage.
- Refrigerate maintains quality up to 6 months tightly wrapped.
- Freeze individual slices vacuum-sealed up to 1 year successfully.
- Always serve room temperature—no reheating ever required.
- Brush monthly with brandy keeps cakes moist indefinitely during storage.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Carbs | 52g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 38g |
| Sodium | 120mg |
Values approximate based on 24 thin slices per loaf.
Is This Dish Good for You?
Claxton Fruit Cake offers surprising nutritional benefits beneath holiday indulgence! Pecans deliver heart-healthy monounsaturated fats plus vitamin E antioxidant protection.
Candied fruits provide dietary fiber supporting healthy digestion naturally. Whole eggs contribute complete protein promoting satiety effectively. Warming spices including cinnamon help regulate blood sugar levels beneficially. Enjoyed moderation, satisfies sweet tooth sensibly!
Read More: Pioneer Woman Sausage Gravy Recipe
Claxton Fruit Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups red candied cherries halved
- 2 cups green candied cherries halved
- 2 cups diced candied pineapple
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates
- 4 cups pecan halves lightly toasted
Instructions
Prepare Loaf Pans
- Grease pans generously with butter. Line with parchment paper leaving overhang handles.
Measure All Fruits
- Combine candied cherries, pineapple, raisins, dates in largest mixing bowl.
Toast Pecans Golden
- Spread pecan halves on baking sheet. Toast 350°F 8 minutes until fragrant.
Flour Coat Fruits
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup flour over fruit mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
Cream Butter Perfectly
- Beat softened butter and sugar 5 minutes until light, fluffy, pale yellow.
Add Eggs Gradually
- Add eggs one at time, beating 30 seconds after each addition completely.
Whisk Dry Ingredients
- Combine remaining 2½ cups flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon together.
Mix Wet Liquids
- Stir orange juice, brandy, vanilla extract in measuring cup thoroughly.
Add Dry Ingredients
- Add 1/3 dry ingredients to batter. Mix on lowest speed just combined.
Add Liquid Mixture
- Pour half wet ingredients into batter. Mix until barely incorporated.
Fold Fruits Carefully
- Add floured fruits and toasted pecans. Fold gently by hand until distributed.
Divide Batter Evenly
- Spoon batter equally between two prepared loaf pans. Smooth tops gently.
Bake Low Temperature
- Bake 300°F 1 hour 45 minutes until golden and toothpick tests clean.
Glaze Warm Cakes
- Mix brandy and orange juice. Brush generously over warm fruit cakes.
Cool Completely
- Cool cakes in pans 30 minutes. Transfer to wire racks fully.
Age for Perfection
- Wrap tightly in cheesecloth. Store airtight containers 2 weeks minimum.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients blend smoothly creating tender moist crumb everyone expects.
- Flour-coated fruits prevent sinking creating even distribution through entire cake.
- Low slow baking prevents drying out delicate fruit pieces completely.
- Monthly brandy brushing during storage develops increasingly complex flavor profile.
- Pineapple juice perfectly substitutes brandy maintaining needed fruit moisture content.
- Glacéed cherries essential—regular maraschino cherries release excess liquid.
- Substitute half pecans with walnuts creates delightful nutty flavor variation everyone enjoys.
FAQs about Claxton Fruit Cake
How long must homemade Claxton Fruit Cake age before first slice?
Minimum 2 weeks essential for flavors melding into complex harmony.
Monthly brandy brushing maintains perfect moisture indefinitely. Improves dramatically like fine wine over time!
Can Claxton Fruit Cake recipe successfully skip alcohol entirely?
Pineapple juice or additional orange juice substitutes perfectly maintaining fruit moisture.
Non-alcoholic versions taste equally delicious using identical preparation method confidently.
Why do candied fruits always sink to bottom of my fruit cakes?
Flour-coating fruits first creates protective starch layer preventing sinking completely.
Brief batter chilling also helps suspend heavy fruit pieces evenly throughout cake.
Does Claxton Fruit Cake genuinely improve substantially after months?
Absolutely transforms!
Aging allows brandy spices, and fruits developing sophisticated layered flavors. Original Claxton shipped globally without refrigeration maintaining quality beautifully.
Can Claxton Fruit Cake recipe halve perfectly for testing purposes?
Halves flawlessly using single loaf pan identical temperatures! Perfect smaller batch builds confidence before committing full traditional double-loaf holiday production confidently.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations—your Claxton Fruit Cake Recipe captures cherished holiday tradition magic perfectly at home! Rich tender pound cake cradling colorful fruits and pecans creates slices worth patient aging anticipation.
Begin baking now ensures Christmas perfection ahead.
Share your fruit cake gifting triumphs and family traditions below—who receives your first homemade Claxton masterpiece this holiday season?
Hi! I’m Livy Lane, the creator of LivyCooks.com. I share easy, delicious recipes anyone can make at home. Let’s cook, taste and enjoy every bite together!