Friendship Brandy Fruit Starter

Sweet, boozy, and steeped in tradition, the Friendship Brandy Fruit Starter is the perfect foundation for creating rich, homemade friendship fruitcake or simply sharing with loved ones. This unique recipe combines canned peaches, pineapple, maraschino cherries, sugar, and brandy in a delightful fermentation process, yielding a bubbling, fragrant starter bursting with tangy-sweet flavors. Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, this make-ahead recipe encourages community and connection, as it not only creates a versatile base for baking but can also be divided and gifted to friends. With no cooking required, the fermentation process naturally transforms the mixture into a flavorful masterpiece. Perfect for holiday gifting or baking, this centuries-old tradition is a festive way to spread love and sweetness, one jar at a time!

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz can Canned peaches (with syrup)
• 1 20 oz can Canned pineapple (with juice)
• 1 10 oz jar Maraschino cherries (with juice)
• 2.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1.25 cups Brandy

Directions

Step 1

Start with a clean, large glass or food-safe plastic jar with a lid that holds at least 1 gallon. Do not use metal containers as they can interfere with the fermentation process.

Step 2

Pour the entire can of peaches along with the syrup into the jar. Chop the peaches into small pieces if desired.

Step 3

Add the canned pineapple and its juice to the jar, chopping the pineapple into smaller chunks if necessary.

Step 4

Pour in the maraschino cherries along with the juice, and optionally cut the cherries in halves or quarters.

Step 5

Add the sugar into the jar, stirring gently to combine with the fruit and juices.

Step 6

Pour the brandy into the jar and stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure the sugar begins dissolving.

Step 7

Loosely cover the jar with a lid to allow some air circulation but prevent contaminants like dust or bugs from entering. Alternatively, you can cover it with a clean piece of cheesecloth secured with a rubber band.

Step 8

Store the jar in a cool, dark place (around 60–70°F or 16–21°C) and let the mixture ferment for 2 weeks, stirring gently every 2–3 days to promote even fermentation.

Step 9

After 2 weeks, the starter will begin to bubble and develop a slightly tangy, sweet aroma, indicating it’s ready to use. You can divide this mixture into portions to make Friendship Fruit Cake or share the starter with friends.

Step 10

To maintain or continue the starter, feed it every 2–3 weeks with equal parts canned fruit with syrup or juice (e.g., peaches, pineapple) and sugar, stirring well each time. Add 1/2 cup of brandy if needed to keep the fermentation process active.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	885 grams (885.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2658

Total Fat 0.10g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 515.60g	187%
Dietary Fiber 0.60g	2%
Total Sugars 513.80g
Protein 0.30g	1%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 5mg	0%
Iron 0mg	2%
Potassium 80mg	2%

*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: 0.0%

Protein: 0.1%

Carbs: 99.9%