Fruitcake Bars are a delightful twist on the traditional holiday fruitcake, offering all the rich, festive flavors in a convenient, easy-to-eat bar form. These bars are packed with a medley of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, all held together by a tender, buttery base. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of tea, these bars capture the essence of the season in every bite. The chewy texture of the fruits, the crunch of the nuts, and the aromatic spices make these bars a must-have for your holiday baking list.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried figs
- 1/2 cup candied cherries, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until well combined.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the fruits and nuts: Gently fold in the chopped dried fruits, candied cherries, and nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares or bars.
- Serve: Dust the Fruitcake Bars with powdered sugar if desired, and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Fruitcake Bars are a festive and flavorful treat that’s perfect for sharing during the holiday season. With their rich, fruity flavor and tender texture, these bars are sure to become a favorite in your holiday baking repertoire.
