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?
Carol says
Elana, having nut, wheat/gluten, cane sugar & soy allergies have really put a damper on my previous holiday fruitcake indulgence, but this recipe may be worth the temporary discomfort. Thank you for continuing to offer adaptations and variations of so many savory and sweet items.
Cheers!
Jo says
I used apple sauce and flax seed instead of the eggs and made
Mini muffins. Wow!!!! Thanks so
Much. Keep the cakes coming.
Kay says
How did you sub applesauce + flax for the eggs?? Curious minds want to know. :)
jo says
how or why did i replace the eggs? i do not eat eggs so 1/2 cup of apple sauce and a TB spoon of flax with 3 TB of water make a healthy and great tasting binding agent. i also did not use almond flour as my husband is sensitive to almonds and used a general purpose gluten free flour mix and it was great.
haile says
hi elana, fruitcakes are my favorite. i am going to test this today.
Elisa says
Just wanted to say I made this today and loved it! The almond flour gives it a buttery flavor… without the butter! Also, I only have the full size bread pans so that’s what I used and it still turned out great. Thanks for your blog I really enjoy it.
unscrambled says
I tried to comment on the last post and it didn’t work–I just wanted to support you in not offering nutrition information because at least for me as someone with MS and a really busy life, it supports my health more to focus on eating well, and letting the numbers fall where they may. I’d like to thank you for helping so many people eat delicious things and feed their families well.
Jessica @ Hungrygems says
I’m enjoying this modern fruitcake. No neon chunks of unidentifiable fruit frozen in time by a layer of glistening sucrose. No cracks in the table in the photo caused by the sheer weight of the fruit beast bearing down on it. And no grandma in sight. I welcome this “cake of fruit” with open arms.
Jasmin says
I’m going to have to try this one! Sounds yummers!
Meagan says
This looks FAB. I love that it’s virtually sweetener less!
Terris @ Free Eats says
This is such a nice recipe. I have some family members who are going paleo, so I would love to try this as a special treat for them. Love how the fruit provides the sweetness.
cheryl says
thank you SO much elana!
my mum makes a gf fruitcake and sends all the way from australia –
guess you can take the girl out of the country but not the fruitcake out of the girl!
waiting for more almond flour to try your recipe! thx again!