Fruitcake from Europe
Given its origins in either Ancient Egypt or Rome, it is no surprise that a version of fruitcake can be found in many cultures around in the world. The popularity of fruitcakes seems to follow the growth of western civilization throughout Europe and then into the Americas.
A favorite Italian fruitcake is known as Panforte, has its origins dating back to the 1200s in the Tuscany region. While this region of northern Italy is known for it’s cuisine, fruitcake doesn’t always top the list but it should. Panforte is known for its spicy flavor which can be attributed to the strong pepper that most recipes call for. It also includes nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds and/or walnuts. The candied fruit used can be an assortment of any of the following: dried plums, dried figs, raisins, candied citrus peel, or candied citron.
Continuing north on our ‘world tour of fruitcakes’, we come to Germany, the home to Stollen. The first stollen was baked in 1427 as a Christmas pastry. It was during Advent (which was a time of fasting) and the church would not allow bakers to use butter, only oil. Not surprising, the cake was dry and hard. Finally, after many years of appeals to the church, in 1490, Pope Innocent VIII granted written permission to the Saxon region in the ‘Butter Brief’ for the use of butter and milk to make North German ‘Stollen’ fruitcakes. Stollen is characterized by the addition of flour and yeast to the nuts and candied fruits. What makes Stollen such a special treat, however, is that immediately after it is removed from the oven, it is slathered with melted, unsalted butter and rolled in confectioner’s sugar.
As fruitcake became more and more popular in Europe, the addition of candied fruit, nuts, spices, sugar and alcohol had garnered a reputation for being ‘sinfully rich’. By the time of Queen Victoria’s reign, fruitcake had become an integral part of tea time in England. It also became the custom in England for unmarried wedding guests to take home a slice of fruitcake and put under their pillow at night to dream of the one they will marry. Fruitcakes in the United Kingdom vary throughout the various regions. Some Christmas fruitcakes are decorated with royal icing with holiday scenes. Many fruitcakes also include currents and candied cherries.
Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves
At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.
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