Fruitcake
Fruitcake
Fruitcake (pronunciation: /ˈfruːtkeɪk/) is a type of cake made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and optionally soaked in spirits.
Etymology
The term "fruitcake" is derived from the Middle English word 'fruit', meaning 'fruit', and 'cake', which is of Viking origin from the Old Norse word 'kaka'.
Ingredients
A fruitcake typically includes the following ingredients:
- Candied fruit: These are fruits that have been preserved in a sugar syrup and then dried. They add sweetness and texture to the fruitcake.
- Dried fruit: This can include raisins, currants, apricots, and prunes. They provide a concentrated fruit flavor.
- Nuts: Commonly used nuts include almonds, walnuts, and pecans. They add crunch and flavor.
- Spices: These can include cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. They add warmth and depth of flavor.
- Spirits: Some fruitcakes are soaked in spirits, such as brandy or rum, to enhance the flavor and preserve the cake.
Variations
There are many variations of fruitcake around the world, including:
- Stollen: A German fruitcake usually eaten during the Christmas season.
- Panettone: An Italian type of fruitcake that originated in Milan.
- Black cake: A Caribbean version of fruitcake that is soaked in rum and made with burnt sugar for a dark color.
Related Terms
- Cake: A sweet baked dessert, of which fruitcake is a type.
- Christmas cake: A type of fruitcake that is traditionally eaten at Christmas.
- Wedding cake: A cake served at wedding receptions. In the UK, it is traditionally a fruitcake.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fruitcake
- Wikipedia's article - Fruitcake
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski