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Costco Fruit Cake Recipe

4.8 from 69 reviews

This homemade Costco-style fruit cake is a moist and flavorful holiday treat packed with a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices. Its classic preparation involves creaming butter and sugar, folding in a blend of spiced flour, and baking slowly to develop rich flavors and a tender crumb. Perfect for festive occasions or gifting, this fruit cake boasts a delightful balance of sweetness, texture, and aroma.

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit and Nuts

  • 2 cups mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, chopped dates, and candied fruit peel)
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or Bundt pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy release of the cake after baking.
  2. Toss fruits and nuts: In a large bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts. Toss with 1/4 cup of the flour until they are evenly coated. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the cake while baking.
  3. Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender cake texture.
  4. Add eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated and the batter remains smooth.
  5. Sift dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the remaining flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
  6. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter and sugar, alternating with the milk. Mix gently until a smooth batter forms, taking care not to overmix.
  7. Fold in fruits and nuts: Carefully fold the coated dried fruit and nuts into the batter until evenly distributed throughout.
  8. Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked.
  9. Cool the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
  10. Store for flavor development: Once cooled, wrap the fruitcake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature for several days to let the flavors mature and deepen before serving. Enjoy your homemade Costco Fruit Cake!

Notes

  • Coating the dried fruit and nuts with flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom during baking.
  • Use a toothpick to check doneness; if it comes out with moist crumbs, bake a few minutes longer.
  • For a moister cake, you can brush it with a bit of warmed fruit juice or alcohol after baking, then wrap and age it for several days.
  • Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze for longer storage.
  • Feel free to customize the dried fruit and nut mix based on your preferences or seasonal availability.

Keywords: fruit cake, Costco fruit cake, holiday cake, dried fruit cake, baked fruit cake, festive dessert