Holiday Fruitcake Bars

Indulge in the festive flavors of the season with these irresistibly rich and chewy Holiday Fruitcake Bars. A modern twist on the classic fruitcake, these bars are packed with a medley of dried cranberries, golden raisins, chopped apricots, candied ginger, and crunchy pecans or walnuts, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and nutty notes. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg elevate the buttery, tender crumb, making each bite a cozy holiday treat. Perfectly baked in just 35 minutes, these easy-to-make bars are ideal for holiday dessert platters, gift-giving, or enjoying with a steaming cup of coffee. Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruitcake or looking for a fresh take, these vibrant bars are a festive crowd-pleaser that will shine at any gathering!

Nutriscore Rating: 43/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 0.5 cup golden raisins
• 0.25 cup chopped candied ginger
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 6

Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped apricots, golden raisins, candied ginger, and pecans or walnuts.

Step 7

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1197.7 grams (1197.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4314

Total Fat 114.00g	146%
Saturated Fat 61.40g	307%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 806mg	269%
Sodium 1985mg	86%
Total Carbohydrate 803.10g	292%
Dietary Fiber 23.20g	83%
Total Sugars 583.60g
Protein 49.80g	100%

Vitamin D 123IU	615%
Calcium 435mg	33%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 2183mg	46%

*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: 23.1%

Protein: 4.5%

Carbs: 72.4%