During the holidays I’m always looking for yummy treats to eat that won’t leave me with a high-carb hangover. This paleo dessert recipe for a moist, gluten free fruitcake fits the bill. Sweetened with one tablespoon of coconut sugar, along with dates, raisins and dried cherries, my Paleo version of this classic treat is great with a cup of tea, Dandelion Root Coffee, or makes a beautifully simple gift to give to friends and neighbors during the holidays.
According to Wikipedia, fruitcake is:
A cake made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and (optionally) soaked in spirits. A cake that simply has fruit in it as an ingredient can also be colloquially called a fruitcake. In the United Kingdom, certain rich versions may be iced and decorated. Fruitcakes are often served in celebration of weddings and Christmas.
Along with visions of wacky people, the word “fruitcake” can also conjure thoughts of dry, icky cake. I think you’ll be pleased to find that this easy Paleo recipe is rich and moist –a Christmas Cake recipe that is versatile enough to use all year round.
Paleo Fruitcake
Ingredients
- 1½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup dates (remove pits) and chopped
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda
- Stir in dried fruit and nuts
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, coconut sugar, vanilla and citrus zest
- Stir wet ingredients into dry
- Scoop batter into 2 greased mini loaf pans
- Bake fruitcakes at 350°F for 20-30 minutes
- Cool and serve
I think this might be my first Paleo cake recipe. I could be wrong though. What Paleo grain-free, dairy-free desserts will you be serving this holiday season?
Ada Rousso says
Can I use honey instead of coconut palm sugar???
Claudia says
Elana never answers questions on substitutions, but I subbed a tablespoon of honey for the coconut palm sugar and the fruitcakes came out great. They really taste of the loaves they make for Christmas out here in the Netherlands and now my husband can enjoy them without the heartburn he used to get from those.
Thanks Elana!
Claudia
Arielle says
I’ve been looking for a recipe just like this! Can I bake it all in one loaf pan? How much longer do you think it would take… should a toothpick come out clean when finished?
DamselflyDiary says
I wouldn’t try doing this in a full-size loaf pan. My experience is that gluten free baked loaves don’t rise well in the middle, usually fall and are often under-cooked while the outside gets over-cooked. Instead, consider making cupcakes if you don’t have a mini loaf pan. But ask Santa for a mini loaf pan if you are going to do gluten free baking in the next year — you won’t be sorry. Mini loaves are easy to put in the freezer too. Mine make four loaves so I can eat one and freeze three for later. Good luck!
Dana says
I divided it into 2 regular sized loaf pans so the batter was shallow. Came out great.
Lavina says
This recipe looks great, Elana! I might make it for my brother for Christmas as I am not a fruitcake fan. He tries to stay on the paleo diet but doesn’t bake so he will love this.
Heidi says
That looks delicious! This is my first grain free Christmas season, but I’m not worried. Thanksgiving was wonderful, and I didn’t miss any of the gluten in my meal. I am definitely making another one of your black & white cakes and am going to experiment with your Christmas cookie recipes. Yum!
Jessy says
That’s a gorgeous loaf, Elena!
Gretchen says
This looks so good! My mother used to make a delicious applesauce based fruitcake (with all purpose flour, of course) and I’ve been looking for a gluten free fruitcake, but none has appealed to me till now. Can’t wait to try it!
Carmen says
Yeah! Gluten free paleo Diabetes friendly fruitcake! You’re my hero! Thanks for creating this.
Jenny says
Excellent! This is perfect timing. I’ve been looking for a paleo fruit cake for the last couple of weeks. Thank you!
Linda Collier says
Baking is top priority this weekend. Paleo Fuitcake will be top priority too. Ginger Snaps were delish! Making more for the holidays!
Thanks Elana!
Dana says
Thanks for this. Not only gluten-free, but booze free. I am going to have to try.
Dana says
So good I am making another batch. Thank you so much for this. I knew there must be a simple way to make a yummy gluten-free fruit & nut bread.