You've probably heard the expression “nutty as a
fruitcake”.  Often it is a slang way to refer to someone
who is acting strangely.  But did you realize there are
all different types of nuts in fruitcake?  Besides the
explosion of fresh and dried fruits, a variety of nuts add
to the distinctive flavor of fruitcake.

Much like fine liquor or wine, a fruitcake can be light or
dark and gets better with age.  Each one has its own
unique appeal based on the dark or light sugar, molasses
and nuts used in the fruitcake recipe.  According Susan
Purdy, author of “The Perfect Cake”, “The best fruitcakes
are cornucopias of brandy soaked fruits and nuts minimally
bound with cake crumbs.”

Delicious dark fruitcakes are a choice for many fruitcake
enthusiasts.  With a dark color and rich flavor, dark
fruitcake is definitely pleasing to the palate.  Fruits
such as dates and prunes give this cake dark appeal. 
Flavorful nuts such as walnuts give dark fruitcake an
irresistible nuttiness. 

Alluring almonds are often featured in light fruitcake
with fruits such as golden raisins and dried apricots. 
Other essential ingredients in light fruitcakes are light
corn syrup or granulated sugar.  Light fruitcake is a
tasty dessert, snack or breakfast treat.  Dark fruitcake
is made with brown sugar or molasses for a heavy texture
and warm taste.

Other nuts used in popular fruitcake recipes are hazel
nuts and Brazil nuts.  These popular nuts are used in
recipes with sweet fruits such as pears and cherries.  The
combination is an absolute taste sensation on the tongue. 


Nuts are also a healthy addition to any fruitcake you bake
or buy. The FDA approved a health claim for seven
different kinds of nuts in 2003, stating, “Scientific
evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 oz
per day of most nuts as part of a diet low in saturated
fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.”


The nuts in fruitcake are also a great source of fiber,
rich in phytonutrients and have antioxidants.  Nuts have
“good” fats that are shown to lower LDL cholesterol. They
also contain nutrients such as selenium and Vitamin E. 
The fruit and nuts in fruitcake make it a healthier
choice.

It's easy to go nuts over the nuts in fruitcake.  The
fruit is soft and sweet with a tangy touch.  Nuts are
meaty and fulfilling.  With sugars and spirits such as
brandy, fruitcake is a sensationally special treat.

Fruitcake makes a perfect gift for any season.  Often
associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas, fruitcake is
fantastic for all holidays and occasions.  Fruitcake
stands out from all the other baskets filled with the same
old things.  When people see a fruitcake, they want to try
it out right away.

If you're absolutely nuts about eating nuts, get your fair
share in a fruitcake. Almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, hazel
nuts and more make fruitcake even more yummy with a cup of
herbal tea.  Share the joy with someone you love by
sending them a fruitcake to make their day.