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| A slice of the fruitcake :) |
Of all the holiday desserts, icebox fruitcake holds a special place in my heart. No other dessert brings that feeling of Christmas like my Granny's icebox fruitcake. She made many of them every year and gifted them to friends and family. My grandpa, Papa, adored the fruitcake so much that she would make an extra batch for him, and he'd savor every slice well throughout January. It was a tradition she began years ago. The start of the holiday season was marked by her saying, "We need to go to the store to get what I need for fruitcake.'" As a child, I felt so excited. I knew the kitchen would soon be filled with the sweet aroma of cherries, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Best of all, I knew I would get to help her make it!
A few weeks before Christmas, Granny would gather the ingredients and get to work at the kitchen table. I can still picture her sitting in the ladderback chair with the old cookbook open by her side. First, she would crush a box of graham crackers until they became fine crumbs. Then she'd chop the pecans, cherries, and English walnuts. Occasionally, she'd pull out the old-fashioned nutcracker to crack the pecans, her hands moving with the skill only years of practice could bring. Once the nuts were ready, she'd toss them into a large bowl with golden raisins.
Next, I would pour marshmallows into a bowl, sneaking a couple from the bag before heading to the microwave. Once melted, Granny would pour the leftover maraschino cherry juice over the marshmallows, transforming it into a lovely pink hue—the same color I've forever associated with fruitcake. Then, she would pour the marshmallow mixture over the dry ingredients. My favorite part came when Granny handed me the big wooden spoon, and I'd become the official "stirrer." The bowl would be filled to the brim, and stirring it could be challenging! But I loved the challenge. After everything was well combined, she would pack the bright pink mixture into small foil baking pans before placing them in the fridge to chill.
It's been 7 years since Granny last made the fruitcake. Since then, Alzheimer's Disease began to take its toll, taking away her ability to do so many things she loved to do, such as talking, reading books, telling stories, and cooking. The kitchen became quieter, and the fruitcake just became a cherished memory. Last year, my mom and I were flipping through old cookbooks when we stumbled upon the recipe. The smudges on the page immediately caught our attention; it was a sign that Granny had touched the page while making the beloved fruitcake. This little detail confirmed that this was the recipe she had followed all those years before. With nostalgia and inspiration, Mama and I decided to make the fruitcake for Christmas 2024 for us and our family and revive the tradition.
As I crushed graham crackers, chopped pecans, and melted marshmallows, it all came rushing back—the smells, the textures, and the joy of stirring the vibrant pink mixture. It felt like I was again at the kitchen table, helping Granny create something magical. After Mama and I mixed it up, we packed it in a couple of metal pans and put it in the fridge. This fruitcake is a good dessert to freeze. It can be kept in the fridge for a month after you make it.
Granny's icebox fruitcake isn't just a dessert; it's a piece of our family history. It's light, no-bake, and bursting with cherry flavor—nothing like the dense, dry fruitcakes you might think of. I am not a traditional fruitcake fan but love this old-fashioned one. What's more, it's a recipe that can be adapted—add coconut, pineapple, or your favorite fruits and nuts to make it your own.
Reviving this tradition reminded me of the importance of traditions. Family traditions uniquely connect us to the people we love, even when they can no longer be with us in the same way. These traditions, no matter how small, are part of what makes a family special. They are the threads that weave our past, present, and future together and create special memories.
What holiday tradition do you enjoy with your family? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
