Brandied Holiday Fruit

Elevate your holiday celebrations with this luxurious Brandied Holiday Fruit, a festive, make-ahead treat that combines the rich flavors of dried apricots, cranberries, golden raisins, and cherries with warm spices and citrusy orange zest. Soaked in a fragrant blend of brandy, cinnamon, and cloves, this flavorful medley is perfect as a topping for desserts like ice cream or yogurt, a filling for baked goods, or served straight from the jar as a boozy, sweet delight. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this easy recipe blossoms in flavor the longer it sits, making it a wonderful addition to your holiday table or a thoughtful edible gift. Indulge in this holiday classic, and discover the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and warmth that embodies the spirit of the season. Keywords: brandied fruit, holiday recipes, festive desserts, make-ahead treats, edible gifts.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried apricots
• 1 cup Dried cranberries
• 1 cup Golden raisins
• 1 cup Dried cherries
• 1.5 cups Brandy
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 4 Whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the brandy, orange zest, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Heat over medium-low heat until warm but not boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep while preparing the fruit.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried apricots, dried cranberries, golden raisins, and dried cherries. Mix well to evenly distribute the fruits.

Step 3

Optional: If you'd like a sweeter mixture, sprinkle in the brown sugar and toss to coat the fruit evenly.

Step 4

Strain the warm brandy mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cinnamon stick and cloves. Pour the strained liquid over the dried fruit mixture.

Step 5

Add the vanilla extract (if using) and stir well to ensure all the fruit is coated with the brandy mixture.

Step 6

Transfer the mixture into an airtight container or glass jar. Allow the fruit to soak in the brandy mixture for at least 24 hours, stirring occasionally. For a deeper flavor, let the mixture sit for up to 3 days.

Step 7

Serve as-is, as a topping for ice cream or yogurt, or as a flavorful mix-in for baked goods like fruitcakes or muffins. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	900.4 grams (900.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2261

Total Fat 2.40g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.70g	3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 119mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate 356.70g	130%
Dietary Fiber 27.40g	98%
Total Sugars 298.70g
Protein 8.70g	17%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 304mg	23%
Iron 8mg	42%
Potassium 2391mg	51%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1.5%

Protein: 2.3%

Carbs: 96.2%