Fruitcake Fit for a King

A recent informal survey shows that four out of five people hate fruitcake. Not dislike, mind you, but hate! Excuse me, but I think that verb is mighty strong for the traditional holiday dessert. Hate should be reserved for such things as blood sausage — just the name makes me gag — or mincemeat pie — gross! Besides, I happen to be one of the twenty percent who actually likes it, and I simply don’t understand this ardent loathing.

Most people don’t turn up their nose at a bag of trail mix or scoff when offered a granola bar. In fact, everyone thinks they are doing their body good by consuming naturally sweet fruits and protein-packed nuts. Add a little spiced cake and voilà — fruitcake.
The problem is that most folks have never tried a decent sample. A made-from-scratch fruitcake can’t be compared to those nasty commercial monstrosities that are the butt of so many jokes. It’s like comparing your Grandma’s kick-ass chocolate cake to a Hostess Ding-Dong.
Can’t stand walnuts and dates? Fine, don’t use them. A homemade fruitcake is pretty dang versatile and doesn’t have to contain any of those ingredients you personally can’t stomach. It need not be saturated in alcohol to make it edible (although it does make it mighty tasty), can be made gluten-free if so desired or could be made with a cocoa base for those who must have chocolate in all their desserts.
Historically, fruitcake was seen as a delicacy that, when given, was received with great honor, not regifted to weird cousin Bob. Expensive fruits, nuts and spices made it a rare treat that was served primarily on holidays and special occasions, and was considered a sign of prosperity. (And in more recent history, Kate Middleton and Prince William served fruitcake at their wedding!)
This holiday, in the spirit of the season, give fruitcake another chance. There are as many combinations of fruitcake as there are the above-mentioned g-bars. Check out one of these easy-to-make fruitcake recipes and enjoy a thin slice with a cup of coffee or tea the next time you crave a holiday sweet. Help change fruitcake’s unwarranted reputation once and for all!
Are you willing to expand your horizons and take the fruitcake challenge? —Karen