What is National Fruitcake Day?
Fruitcake enthusiasts young and old, across the United States, celebrate National Fruitcake Day each year on December 27th.
Fruitcake has long been a holiday gift-giving tradition, made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and occasionally soaked in spirits..
Pogranate seeds, pine nuts, and raisins are mixed into barley mash, dating back to ancient Rome. Manufacturers added honey, spices, and preserved fruit in the Middle Ages, according to documents. Fruitcakes' recipes vary from country to country, depending on available ingredients and culture.
In the 16th century, two innovations came together to make fruitcakes more affordable and available. Sugar from the American Colonies became abundant in the first place. In second, it was discovered that high sugar levels could preserve fruits. These two events resulted in excess candied fruit. As a result, fruitcake making increased.
