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Harry & David first tried their hand at making this controversial cake all the way back in 1947. Our bakers gave it their own proprietary twist, and the recipe was heavily guarded. According to legend, co-founder David Holmes would put paper over the bakery windows to make sure no onlookers could steal the recipe while it was being made.
In fact, this top-secret recipe was broken down into separate steps that were always performed by different people; no one was to know the entire recipe themselves. At least four individuals would step in at different points in the mixing and baking process. The secrecy — and the recipe — paid off, as the Traditional Fruitcake was a quick hit and has maintained a strong fanbase for generations.
The popularity of this dessert has inspired a few iterations over the years. For a while we offered an orange rum fruitcake that featured more non-traditional fruits like apricots, peaches, cranberries, raisins, pineapple, and papaya. We also offered fruitcake cookies in a handful of our gifts to add a bit of holiday whimsy.
READ MORE: Fruitcake: The Dessert That's More Punchline Than Delicacy
Now, we proudly make our Traditional Fruitcake in a variety of sizes, so you can have plenty for your party or just enough to enjoy yourself. While the exact recipe is still a secret, we can tell you that this iconic cake is crafted with real butter, whole eggs, candied cherries, pineapple, walnuts, and other premium nuts.
For those looking for a more unique twist on this classic treat, you can take a bite out of our ever-popular Fruitcake Confection, featuring less cake and loaded with more bits of chewy fruit and savory nuts, all held together with a sweet glaze. We invite you to get a taste of the magic and try some for yourself. Who knows, you might just discover your next delicious holiday tradition.
