Claxton Bakery in Claxton, Georgia makes Claxton Fruit cake. The Southern-style fruitcake contains raisins, citrus, cherries, pecans, and walnuts. A batter of flour, sugar, eggs, and other components is mixed with fruit and nuts and baked until firm and moist.
Claxton Fruit Cake is a famous US holiday treat due to its rich flavor and texture. It’s a Christmas treat and gift. For over 100 years, Claxton Bakery has made high-quality, tasty fruitcakes.
How to Make Claxton Fruit Cake
During the holidays, fruitcake is the best. I’ll share my Claxton Fruit Cake recipe, a Southern-style fruitcake that’s sure to please.
I tried Claxton Fruit Cake at a holiday party. Fruitcakes are dry and unappetizing, so I was skeptical. I was hooked after tasting this moist, delicious cake. Since then, I’ve been making it.
Claxton Fruit Cakes make great gifts and festive treats. I love gifting a slice in festive packing to friends and family. It’s also a fun way to introduce fruitcake.
Claxton Fruit Cake Ingredients
To make a Claxton Fruit Cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup candied cherries, halved
- 1 cup candied pineapple, chopped
Step by Step Instructions to Make Claxton Fruit Cake
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and apple juice, and mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Fold in the raisins, pecans, walnuts, cherries, and pineapple.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Claxton Fruit Cake Tips:
- To make a darker fruitcake, add a tablespoon of molasses to the batter.
- If you don’t like certain fruits or nuts, feel free to substitute them with others that you do like.
- For an extra special touch, brush the top of the cake with rum or brandy after it has cooled.
Some Unique Variations of Claxton Fruit Cake
Chocolate Fruitcake: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for chocolate lovers. The fruitcake will taste chocolaty.
Spiced Fruitcake: Add 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, and 1/2 tsp cardamom to the dry ingredients for a warm and cozy spin on the classic recipe. The cake will taste hot and fragrant.
Boozy Fruitcake: Soak raisins and other dried fruits in brandy, rum, or whisky before adding them to the batter for a kick. After cooling, brush your favorite spirit on the cake.
Nut-Free Fruitcake: Replace the pecans and walnuts with more dried fruit like cherries or apricots if you or someone you know is allergic to nuts.
Claxton Fruit Cake Faq’s
What makes a Claxton Fruit Cake different from other fruitcakes?
Claxton Fruit Cakes are known for their high quality and delicious taste. They are made with only the finest ingredients, and they are baked to perfection to ensure that they are moist and flavorful.
What occasions are Claxton Fruit Cakes typically served?
Claxton Fruit Cakes are popular holiday treats and are often served during the Christmas season. They also make great gifts for friends and family.
How long does a Claxton Fruit Cake last?
Claxton Fruit Cakes can be stored for several months if kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Claxton Fruit Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup candied cherries halved
- 1 cup candied pineapple chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and apple juice, and mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Fold in the raisins, pecans, walnuts, cherries, and pineapple.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- To make a darker fruitcake, add a tablespoon of molasses to the batter.
- If you don’t like certain fruits or nuts, feel free to substitute them with others that you do like.
- For an extra special touch, brush the top of the cake with rum or brandy after it has cooled.
