Why is Fruitcake So Maligned?

[oakapple]

I didn't realise that in the US
1. fruit cakes at Christmas are 'maligned'
2. that people gave them as gifts.
here, we usually make them ourselves [the best] but there are some good commercially made ones to buy.I make mine in October , then wrap up, and now and again 'feed' brandy into it. It's perfect by Christmas, and will keep [well wrapped] for a few months, however, ours is never there for long as the family eat it quickly.Yummy by itself or with a slice of any mild cheese [Yorkshire Wensleydale is the best, sorry for sounding like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit.]

 

[oakapple]

How can anybody NOT like them? Gasps in disbelief!

 

[Vivjen]

I couldn't understand it either, Oakapple; they have obviously never eaten ours!
i don't put any alcohol in mine; don't want any hidden; and Mum doesn't like it anyway....

 

[Meanderer]

 

[Son_of_Perdition]

Sarcasm Alert! - Not to be taken seriously! -

 

[Vivjen]

Not allowed to sell fish and chips in newspaper any more......and I never drink tea!
as for breakfasts.....who invented the 'greasy spoon'.....

 

[Son_of_Perdition]

Not allowed to sell fish and chips in newspaper any more......and I never drink tea!
as for breakfasts.....who invented the 'greasy spoon'.....

I'm sorry just looked up greasy spoon, it was the English. I must get my facts straight. You may have created it but it took us Americans to exploit it and make it what it is today.

 

[Vivjen]

The Oxford english dictionary says the term originated in England.....then spread to English-speaking countries....and it is the French that eat croissants....although I had two this morning!
i would invite you over; but the tunnels haven't met yet...unless you are an optical fibre..

 

[Son_of_Perdition]

and it is the French that eat croissants....although I had two this morning!

But it took American ingenuity to cram the ready made dough into a cardboard can waiting for the moment of release when you bang it on the edge of you counter.

You do realize I was joking?

Note to self - Don't enter into discussions about politics, religion and now world cuisine.

 

[Vivjen]

Yes...I did, of course...and my replies were not to be taken too seriously either; though you are of course welcome if the tunnel is ever built!

 

[Vivjen]

I agree about the American ingenuity; I tried those things in the cardboard tube once; it exploded on me!

 

[Raven]

My mother made both light and dark fruit cake with no alcohol in them and they were delicious.
I made them for years but don't do as much baking now and try to make healthier treats.
I still love fruit cake.

 

[Josiah]

I like fruitcake alot. I hear friends don't give friends fruitcake. Well, they can give it all to me.

What's so bad about it?

When I was a kid A&P super markets were very popular and they sold a holiday fruit cake to die for. For me A&P fruit cakes came first and Santa Claus came second.

 

[LogicsHere]

I'm with you. I enjoy a good fruitcake, but many are not unless you're willing to spend the big bucks like $30+ for one.

 

[Georgia Lady]

My Mother made what you call a Japanese Fruitcake. It was white cake with a little fruit. That is all I have ever eaten. The traditional fruitcakes are the worst. I have thrown out many given to me.

 

[pumpkin]

I love fruitcake and make one every Christmas for hubby and me.

 

[pumpkin]

I love fruitcake and make one every year in November and keep it soaked in rum till Christmas eve.

 

[oakapple]

Let's all go round Pumpkin's house en masse and try out her delicious cake with a cup of tea?

 

[RadishRose]

Let's all go round Pumpkin's house en masse and try out her delicious cake with a cup of tea?

Take me with you, Oakapple.

 

[Susie]

It's not "maligned" in Australia!
My daughter bakes one or more every Christmas.
A friend I met travelling phoned 3 weeks ago. She had already made many fruit cakes for her large family gathering.
I still can't stand fruitcake after 43 years in Australia.
Thank goodness no fruitcake to be seen anywhere this Xmas on my trip of a lifetime.

 

[Athos]

Nothing is wrong with fruitcake I really enjoy it.
I wish someone would give me one!

Many years ago some comedians repeatedly mocked and made fun
of fruitcake on television. Stupid jokes. Like airline food.
AFter that, people did not think so highly of it.
Nowadays and in many countries, there are so many other fine
bakery goods that fruitcake does not matter much.

 

[RadishRose]

Someone once told me he used chunks of it to fill up holes in his driveway!

 

[Warrigal]

Peasants. :aargh:

A traditional rich, matured fruit cake is the queen of celebratory cakes and even the humble boiled fruit cake makes an excellent addition to a cut lunch for many a worker and school kid.

 

[RadishRose]

Right on Warrigal! Delicious image.

 

[debodun]

It's one of those thing that you either LOVE it or HATE it. Personally, I like it very much if it's made properly and not that raisin bread they try to pass off as fruitcake commercially. My mom always used to make a few weeks before the holidays, the proceed to "season" it (every day she'd dribble some whiskey or other potable on it). Since her passing, a friend of mine makes me one every year. Pretty good, but can never compare to mom's.