No Bake Fruit Cake

8 servings Prep: 30 m Cook: PT0M Total: 30 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
No Bake Fruit Cake
Speed up your holiday cooking with this no-bake fruit cake loaded with pecans, walnuts, dates, cherries, and coconut. Time saved and the cake has such a delicious flavor - perfect for Christmas or any time you want a sweet treat without turning on the oven.

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 lb vanilla wafers
  • 1 lb dates
  • 1/4 lb shredded coconut
  • 1 (8 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained
  • 2 cups pecans, chopped
  • 2 cups walnuts
  • 1 lb marshmallows
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a medium to large glass bowl, crumble the vanilla wafers fine. Cut the dates, nuts and cherries in half. Mix all together with the wafer crumbs.
  2. Stir in the shredded coconut and marshmallows. Add the condensed milk and butter, then mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
  3. Roll the mixture out into a small roll (or multiple rolls), then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2-3 hours. The longer it sits, the better the flavors meld - overnight is ideal.
  4. Slice when ready to serve. You could also press the mixture into a container, refrigerate to firm, and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my fruit cake mixture too dry?

A: Make sure you're mixing the condensed milk thoroughly throughout all the ingredients. If it's still too dry, you can add a tablespoon or two more condensed milk until the mixture holds together when pressed.

Q: How long does this need to chill before I can slice it?

A: At least 2-3 hours for it to firm up enough to slice cleanly, but overnight is even better. The longer chilling time also helps the flavors blend together beautifully.

Tips and Techniques

For cleaner slices, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts. This also makes a great gift - wrap individual rolls in festive plastic wrap and tie with ribbon.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • walnuts: additional pecans or almonds
  • vanilla wafers: graham crackers or shortbread cookies
  • maraschino cherries: dried cranberries or dried cherries

Equipment Needed

  • large mixing bowl
  • sharp knife
  • plastic wrap or airtight container

Historical Context

No-bake fruitcakes became popular in the mid-20th century as a time-saving alternative to traditional soaked and baked fruitcakes, especially appealing in hot Southern climates where running the oven wasn’t always desirable.