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 youβre 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!
Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the dried cranberries, chopped apricots, golden raisins, candied ginger, and pecans or walnuts.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
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.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into squares or rectangles, and serve.
Calories |
4314 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 114.0 g | 146% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.4 g | 307% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 806 mg | 269% | |
| Sodium | 1985 mg | 86% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 803.1 g | 292% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.2 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 583.6 g | ||
| Protein | 49.8 g | 100% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.1 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 435 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 19.3 mg | 107% | |
| Potassium | 2183 mg | 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.