Fruitcake bites, heck anything fruitcake, gets a bad rap. But I think this recipe will change your mind.
Forget the atomic green and neon red weirdness. This is an old-school recipe that skips the candied fruit in favor of a mix packed with dried fruit.
But the real magic here?
The addition of Grand Marnier, one of my favorite liquors, gives these bites a boozy, orangey twist that takes them to a whole new level!
Jump to RecipeDon’t worry about the alcohol—it cooks off, but if you prefer, you can easily swap it out for orange juice.
Grand Marnier is considered a Digestif and growing up, my mom would give us a sugar cube soaked in Grand Marnier for us to slowly suck on when we had a stomach bug. So for me, this liqueur is literally the flavor of tenderness and caring. And the trick is one I still use today.
These bite-sized delights make the perfect holiday treat. And I’m willing to bet that they’ll have even the biggest fruitcake skeptic reaching for seconds!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 50-60 minutes
Servings: approximately 40 pieces
Mini Fruitcake Bites Ingredients
- 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup Grand Marnier (or orange juice)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest from one orange
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cloves
- 5 cups mixed, diced, dried fruits & nuts of choice (dates, raisins, cherries, pecans, apricots, figs, walnuts, etc)
Recipe Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment or foil, spray with some non-stick spray and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, brown sugar and butter. Cream until smooth.
- Add in the eggs and egg yolks – mix well.
- Add in the Grand Marnier (or orange juice), milk, vanilla and orange zest. Mix well.
- Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cloves. Whisk to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients into the stand mixer bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly – stopping the machine to scrape down the sides and mix again.
- Add in the 5 cups worth of mixed fruits and nuts. Fold to combine.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake fruit cake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the edges are browned and the center is set. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
- For best results wait until the cake is at room temperature and use a serrated knife to cut into 1-inch bite sized pieces.
More Delicious Christmas Treats
FAQs about ..
Do these taste like a traditional fruitcake?
Yes, but better! These bite-sized fruitcake treats skip the candied green cherries (thankfully!) and are made with a delicious mix of dried fruits and a touch of Grand Marnier for an extra flavor boost.
What if I don’t have Grand Marnier?
No worries! You can swap the Grand Marnier with your favorite brandy.
Can I skip the booze entirely?
Of course! If you prefer not to use alcohol, simply substitute the Grand Marnier with orange juice for a delicious alcohol-free version.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! These fruitcake bites are perfect for making ahead and storing. They get even better as the flavors meld together, so go ahead and make them up to 5 days ahead of time.
Can I freeze fruitcake bites?
Yes! These bites freeze beautifully. Just wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 6 months. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving.
Are these fruitcake bites good for gifting?
They’re perfect for gifting! Wrap them up in a cute tin or box, and you’ve got yourself a nostalgic, homemade holiday gift that’ll actually be enjoyed!
Mini Fruitcake Bites
These little treats are like a celebration of everything we love about fruitcake—rich, moist cake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Each bite has just a hint of Grand Marnier, adding a cozy warmth that makes them extra special. Perfectly portioned for snacking, our mini fruitcakes are a fun mix of tradition and something a little new, making them great for gifting or just enjoying yourself!
Ingredients
- 10 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup Grand Marnier or orange juice
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest from one orange
- 1 ½ cup flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cloves
- 5 cups mixed dried fruits & nuts of choice diced in big chunks dates, raisins, cherries, pecans, apricots, figs, walnuts, etc
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-
Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment or foil, spray with some non-stick spray and set aside.
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, brown sugar and butter. Cream until smooth.
-
Add in the eggs and egg yolks – mix well.
-
Add in the Grand Marnier (or orange juice), milk, vanilla and orange zest. Mix well.
-
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cloves. Whisk to combine.
-
Add the dry ingredients into the stand mixer bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly – stopping the machine to scrape down the sides and mix again.
-
Add in the 5 cups worth of mixed fruits and nuts. Fold to combine.
-
Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and spread evenly.
-
Bake fruit cake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the edges are browned and the center is set. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
-
For best results wait until the cake is at room temperature and use a serrated knife to cut into 1-inch bite sized pieces.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Fruitcake bites should be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for 6 months.
These fruitcake bites bring all the comfort of a traditional Christmas cake, with a modern, delicious twist.
Whether you’re cutting them into inch squares for easy sharing or indulging in their boozy sweetness at your holiday gatherings, this fruitcake recipe will soon be one of your favorite go-to treats for the holiday season.
If you’re craving more delicious recipes, don’t miss my Hot Cocoa Cookies for a warm, chocolatey delight, the Galette des Rois for a French pastry tradition, or the Old-Fashioned Date Cake for another nostalgic recipe.
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for Perfectly Boozy Fruitcake Bites so you’ll have it ready for the holiday season!