Question 1

Why do fruitcakes last so long?

Accepted Answer

Part of the reason why fruitcakes keep so long is because they are naturally a very dense cake. This allows them to stay good for longer than cakes with a very light crumb, such as homemade yellow cake or angel food cake.

But the alcohol soak is what really helps the cakes stay good for a nice long time.

Question 2

Can I make this recipe without the alcohol?

Accepted Answer

If you need to make this old-fashioned fruitcake without any alcohol, replace the brandy in the cake batter with apple juice. After baking, let the cake cool and wrap tightly; let it rest for 2-3 days before enjoying to allow the flavors to age a bit.

You can spritz the top of the cake with some apple juice if you find it needs the moisture, but if you do this, I recommend storing it in the refrigerator.

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