I love Fruitcake. I can't understand why they have such a bad reputation.

It's a good feeling to get in the Christmas spirit. I felt some of it today, now that I've finished my Christmas letter and laid out this year's family pictures on card stock for color copying. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get those tasks done in time this year.

When my DH and I moved from Manhattan to New Jersey (a long time ago), our new neighbor gave us one of her homemade fruitcakes. It was delicious, but the experience was somewhat spoiled by the way she repeatedly asked if we liked it. She couldn't seem to accept that we really enjoyed it. I guess she was sensitized by fruitcake criticism. :-)

I like fruitcakes, too. Today I'm making stolensâ¦â¦a little lighter version but many people don't like them either. I'm glad you're only sending to people you know who like them. Too much time and money to let them go to waste.

Back in the 60's my father used to order Sear's best fruitcake, it was so full of fruits and nuts there was hardly any cake batter...it was good.

Yes, on the Sears Fruitcake! My mother made fruitcakes that were delicious. She made them well ahead of Christmas, wrapped them in muslin and poured rum or brandy over them to be ready for the holidays.

I never attempted to make a fruitcake, but when my DH and I found Sears fruitcake we were hooked. Since his passing, I've never bought one, and have wondered if they are still available, but haven't checked to see.

I think the reason so many people don't like them is because they have never had a really good one. There are a gazillion recipes out there, but not all of them, or even many of them, are great.

Sue

Did my Christmas shopping yesterday and today. It finally feels like Christmastime today, listening to music and wrapping gifts.

I had a yummy fruit cake one it was soaked in rum!

came up with my own version. first bought only the fruits we liked, (none of the dreaded citron) and used a cranberry bread mix for the base. added pecans, the fruit and a tablespoon or so of brandy. then bought a miniature muffin pan, and made them in that...about 2 bites worth...yum-0....

I too like fruitcake==years ago one of the schools my kids attended sold some from Texas. Oh so good--wish I knew how to get one now. That school in CA I am in ND. and they don't sell those anymore.

I've had fruitcake I like, not in some time though. And I don't remember ever making one.

Checking Sears online, they are offering two type fruitcake from Beatrice Bakery this year. Beatrice made the fruitcake for Sears from 1987 - 2005, they seem to be offering again. Someone really missing them could buy either from Sears online or order from the bakery direct ;)

I'm a little closer to getting in the Christmas spirit. I've almost finished shopping, but I do need some things to send to my nieces little girls in North Carolina. I took everything out of the china cabinet that hasn't been used in a while and ran it through the dishwasher today, cleaned glass shelves, took tablecloth and placemat inventory. I've been doing some deep cleaning so I can finish decorating and picked out and cut a tree today, brought it home but it's in water in the garage tonight.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beatrice Bakery fruit cakes

Fruitcake isn't generally one of my "go to" items; however, one of our grocery stores makes one that is quite good in a cocktail bread sized loaf. NO CITRON! Citron has always been the offending ingredient for me, but I like the cake part with the candied cherries, red and green pineapple, nuts, dates, and raisins, etc.

Although I love the holidays and regard this Advent season as a time for preparation and contemplation, I'm still in a recovery mode from a health crisis, so I'm not doing much decorating inside - aside from poinsettias for the hearth and a swagged garland for the mantel. My gift list is small and going to the bank for crisp new bills finished that off in quick order.

I like to keep a coat pocket full of change since I can't pass a SA Kettle without depositing something - it's all a cheery "Merry Christmas" this year; "Happy Holidays went away... not that I'd be offended by either greeting.

My mother always made traditional fruitcake for the holidays that she'd wrap in cloth and soak in brandy for weeks before eating. I never ate it because I don't care for candied fruit at all.

One year my grandmother made a fruitcake that was loaded with nuts and dried fruit (no candied fruit) and I loved it! My mother wouldn't eat it because it didn't contain candied fruit. lol!

I'm not in the 'Christmas spirit' -- it's too early for me! The calendar says it's still autumn and there's currently no snow on the ground and that's good enough for me. :O)

My grandma's "fruitcake" recipe uses spiced gumdrops in place of the candied fruits. So heavenly!