These Christmas Cakes Can Sweeten Your Table This Year

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November 26, 2024

A bottle of Sugar Plum and Sage Infused Vodka sits on a table in front of three tall glasses.

The most thoughtful stocking stuffers and hostess gifts come right from your own kitchen. Because you create them with your own hands, perhaps customizing them for the taste buds of the recipients, they mean something very special to the folks on your list. Because they’re simple and quick to make, they free you up to enjoy the holidays. No Black Friday rush. No stress. Just an afternoon in the kitchen followed by the glow of family and friends and good times. Try making these four edible gift ideas this holiday season.

Try Making an Edible Gift This Holiday Season

Earl Gray Salted Caramels

These Earl Gray Salted Caramels are so delectable that once you have one, you’ll just have to have another. With a hint of Earl Gray tea, these caramels are gooey and full of flavor. You can even get creative with the vessel you gift these in. Try a small wooden box or a jar with their favorite character on it for a personal touch.

Old Fashioned Craft Cocktail Kit

Start with a locally distilled whiskey. Place dried cherries, orange slices, thyme, and sugar in a Mason jar. Does your someone special like baking spices? Add some fresh ginger. Do they love cherries? Add extra. Just three days later: a scrumptious, personalized Cocktail Kit gift is ready for giving.

Salty Snack Mix

This Salty Snack Mix treat for officemates, neighbors, Game Day guests, and crunchaholics of all stripes is addictive. Spicy, savory, crisp and delicious, it will not last long. It’s so delicious that we recommend making a double batch so that you can keep some in your pantry for the midnight munchies. A little tip: when we make this ourselves at home, we are apt to add candied peanuts and salted cashews to the mix.

Homemade Chili Crisp

Anything homemade is just simply better. Make your own chili crisp to slather on sandwiches, pizzas, or even to add to your instant ramen. It’s easy to make this recipe in a big batch before jarring for your friends and family as a little party favor. Just be sure you leave a bit as a to treat to yourself, too.

Sugar Plum & Sage-Infused Vodka

If you don’t yet have a favorite local vodka, this is the perfect chance to find the one you love as much as your loved ones. Once you’ve chosen your vodka, proceed directly to our easy recipe for Sugar Plum Syrup and enjoy the lovely aroma of simmering ginger, cinnamon, anise, and sage. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic edible gift, skip the vodka and deliver a bottle of Sugar Plum Syrup with a six pack of sparkling NA ginger beer.

Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies

Who wouldn’t be thrilled to get their own private stash of homemade sandwich cookies? It would be very difficult to share the subtle creaminess of cinnamon buttercream paired with tender, buttery gingerbread… so we recommend that they be quickly hidden away. The cookies without the buttercream are also a tempting accompaniment to a mug of café au lait sipped slowly on a winter Saturday. By a roaring fire. With someone nice.

Citrus and Fennel Marinated Olives

Olivers are one of those snacks that you can grab and eat anytime, even if it’s in the middle of the night. Their buttery smooth texture and salty taste are complimented by our citrus and fennel marinade in this edible gift recipe. By gifting your loved one olives, it ensures their gift is actually put to use (who doesn’t love olives and fresh bread?) and even comes in stylish packaging.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix in Ornaments

When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Ornaments warm the soul in a way that a space heater cannot. Help heat up those you love with an edible gift of decadent cocoa and marshmallows. Plus, the look of these treats is so festive you’ll want one (or a whole bundle) for your own tree.

Holiday Granola

Add some glee to your holiday celebration with our Holiday Granola Recipe. It’s sure to keep Aunt Edna from getting hangry at family get-togethers, and it may encourage little save Cousin Timmy to eat something besides candy for breakfast! Clear sacks tied with red and white twine elevate these homemade edible treats into treasured (and snackable) gifts. All ages will enjoy this straight-from-your-kitchen gesture of love.

Espresso Chocolate Spoons

Everyone could use a pick-me-up as the holiday season ends and the drag of winter continues on. These Espresso Chocolate Spoons easily melt into cups of hot milk or water to create a latte in an instant. Dress up the spoons with sprinkles, edible glitter, marshmallow, or other surprises to kick off the morning.

Herb-Infused Olive Oil

Add exquisite flavor to your dishes with this herb-infused olive oil. Prepare a bottle for yourself and several extras for gifting. Your food-loving friends and family will be thrilled to receive a beautiful homemade gift straight from your kitchen to theirs.

Homemade Assorted Flavored Sugars

Homemade (and all-natural) flavored sugars are a fun way to elevate your apple pies, sugar cookies, and other culinary creations. They’re a cleaver idea for stocking stuffers, and perfect for hostess gifts. We suggest you make all three of these unique and delightful flavors and hand them out to everyone who has sweetened your year. They’ll love the thoughtfulness of a treat that comes straight from your kitchen.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Recipes and Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Citrus and Fennel Marinated Olives

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November 25, 2024

Three glass jars of marinated olives with cork tops and little gold forks tied to the jars with red ribbon sit on a black background with a bowl of olves to the right of them.

A snack of Citrus and Fennel Marinated Olives is the perfect combination of winter flavors and the natural butteriness of castelvetrano olives. This recipe is so good in fact, that it makes the perfect homemade gift during the holidays. Instead of getting your giftees a knick-knack that’ll just sit around the house or a gift card that doesn’t show much thought, made these tiny jars of olives for all those close to your heart. Enjoy this edible gift with bread and a bit of feta cheese to add a salty element to these delicious bites. Though, they’re great on their own too and your loved one can even reuse the jar after it’s empty. We even recommend wrapping small forks onto the jars so your receiver has an easy way to dig into these marinated olives.

What Makes Castelvetrano Olives Special?

Castelvetrano olives, hailing from the Sicilian town of Castelvetrano, are mainly known for their distinctive flavor and ultra-buttery texture. Unlike most varieties of olives, farmers harvest them when unripe, resulting in a mild, slightly sweet taste. Their vibrant green color and flavor profile make them a versatile ingredient for use in recipe like salads, pasta dishes, and charcuterie boards.

Citrus and Fennel Marinated Olives

Author: Anna Franklin

Description

These tangy and buttery olives make perfect gifts in small jars.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups castelvetrano olives (not pitted)
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 bulb fennel, sliced into thin pieces
1 lemon, zested into large strips
1 orange, zested into large strips
4 sprigs rosemary
4 sprigs thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
4 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Olive oil, as needed

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On a large parchment lined baking sheet, toss all the ingredients together excluding the sherry vinegar and olive oil.
Roast for 30 minutes or until the fennel is slightly borrowed on the tips.
Divide the olive mixture evenly between 4 jars, making sure each jar gets a piece of garlic, orange zest, lemon zest, herbs and the roasted fennel.
Once each jar is evenly filled, pour one tablespoon of sherry vinegar in each jar.
Fill the remaining space in the jars with olive oil. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Homemade Chili Crisp

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November 25, 2024

Three glass jars with latches hold a red homemade chili crisp with chili peppers scattered around the jars on the grey table.

There’s no need to buy chili crisp from the store when you can make your own Homemade Chili Crisp with ease. This recipe combines a bit of heat alongside plenty of spices to create a complex and unique profile. The best part is you can make a large batch and separate it into tiny jars to gift to your friends and family. Giving them these little bundles of flavor will warm their hearts (figuratively and literally). Plus, you’ll feel accomplished at having created something that both you and others can use year round.

How to Use Chili Crisp

Homemade Chili crisp is a versatile condiment that can elevate many dishes you already make and so many other recipes as well. Its bold flavor profile, combining spicy heat, savory umami, and bright acidity, adds depth and complexity to just about everything. From noodles and dumplings to roasted vegetables and grilled meats, chili crisp adds a kick to all. Try a drizzle of chili crisp to transform a simple bowl of ramen into a tasty dinner. It can also be used to spice up sandwiches, pizzas, and tacos. If you want to add a new twist to breakfast, try using a dollop of chili crisp in scrambled eggs or on avocado toast. The possibilities are truly endless!

Homemade Chili Crisp

Author: Anna Franklin
Yield: 3, 10 oz jars 1x

Description

Add a little heat and a lot of flavor to your next meal.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups vegetable oil
10 fresh Thai chili peppers, chopped
2 shallots rough chopped
15 cloves garlic rough chopped
2 teaspoons Sichuan peppercorns
¼ cup red chili flakes
¼ cup gochugaru chili flakes
2 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt
3 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise pods

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Instructions

Add the oil to a small pot along with the Thai chili peppers, shallot, garlic, peppercorns. Add the cinnamon stick and star anise pods.
Heat the oil to medium-low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the ingredients in the pot brown. It could take longer for the bits to brown and crisp depending on the size of your chopped peppers and oil temperature. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes.
In a separate heat-proof bowl, mix together the chili flakes, paprika, soy sauce, sugar and salt.
Strain the oil into the chili flake mixture. Reserve the crispy bits in the strainer and set them aside for now to cool, which will allow them to fully crisp up. Then swirl the crispy bits back into the oil.
Place a cinnamon stick and star anise in each jar and then divide the mixture evenly between all three jars.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Recipe and Styling by Anna Franklin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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TABLE Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Game Day

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November 25, 2024

A flat lay photo of variety of handles, pigs in a blanket, soft pretzels with beer cheese, and a blue snow cone cocktail for the best hockey game party menu.

Game day isn’t just about the game itself; it’s a tradition that brings people together and we have the perfect guide. It’s about the camaraderie, the food, and the excitement that builds as kickoff approaches. Whether you’re hosting a party or joining a friend’s gathering, the key to a successful game day is creating a fun and festive atmosphere. Good food, great company, and a passionate fan base are all essential elements of the ultimate game day experience. If you’re not sure where to start, or even if you’re just looking for a few essential tips, TABLE Magazine has you covered. We’ve curated a selection of appetizers, cocktails, mocktails, and information (which is even approved by an NFL star and chef) to make sure your game day is one to remember.

TABLE Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to Game Day

Super Bowl Party Planning

Whether you need appetizers, cocktails, or just tips on making your Super Bowl party full of excitement, you’ll find it. We have pairings that’ll wow your guests, ideas to make gathering supplies easier, and classic game day foods that will have mouths watering.

The Ultimate Guide to Super Bowl Party Planning

Your Super Bowl Spread

Super Bowl Bites and Cocktail Pairings

Keeping Game Day Healthy

Game day food doesn’t have to be all about greasy recipes. Instead, use these recipes that encourage clean eating while keeping the dining table full of deliciousness. Think fruit dips, hummus, simple stews, and new ways of cooking veggies. Needless to say, you won’t be going back to the burgers anytime soon.

7 Easy (and Healthy) Game Day Food Recipes

For the Steelers Fans

With our headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, we have to cheer on our hometown team with a menu that matches that black and gold spirit. Headed out to a tailgate at Acrisure Stadium? We have bites that make enough to serve a big crowd of hungry sports fans. Staying in and hosting a party? Make sure you have cocktails and a variety of appetizers to serve all game long.

Tailgating Recipes to Kick Off Steelers Season

Host the Ultimate Steelers Game Day Party

Need Help Creating Your Own Game Day Menu?

TABLE Magazine sat down with NFL alum and chef Eddie Jackson to talk about elevating game day to its highest capacity. He encourages to go beyond the basics and teaches us his method to making your gathering one everyone will enjoy. Plus, he even speaks on how football influences his work as a chef.

Eddie Jackson Shares His Game Day Menu Tips

For Hockey Fans

Hockey parties and tailgating might be just as passionate as football versions. We have a hockey game day menu that’s not only on-theme but also tasty. It starts off with perfect dips for pretzels and pigs in a blanket. Then, serve up Sloppy Joe Hand Pies that take the mess away but keep the same great flavor. Finally, end with a cocktail inspired by the Zamboni and a little surprise treat for Pittsburgh Penguin fans.

The Best Hockey Game Party Menu

Story by Kylie Thomas

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Easy and Creative Upside Down Cake Recipes

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November 25, 2024

An aerial shot of a pineapple Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Upside down cake recipes don’t have to repeat the same old standard pineapple flavor every single time. Instead, try infusing other fruity flavors into this fun and stylish type of cake. You’ll bask in awe as you flip over your final creations to reveal a perfectly coated top full of colors and incredible flavors. Maybe the winter flavors of cranberry and pineapple will call to you. Or, you’ll choose something a little more warming like the combination of bananas, raisins, and ginger. No matter what you bake, get ready to serve up a mouthful of luscious moist cake and tangy touches. The best part is we keep all these recipes simple to apply to any level of baker from beginner to professional.

Easy and Creative Upside Down Cake Recipes

Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake

We’re sure you’re used to serving pecan pie but what about a Pecan Pie Upside Down Cake? This spice cake base is accompanied by a candied pecan topping that’ll have you putting the pie on hold. It’s an elegant dessert choice that also takes advantage of a bundt cake pan.

Cranberry Pineapple Upside Down Cake

If you wish to stick with the classic style of a pineapple upside down cake, we still have a way for you to try a little something new. We use cranberries in addition to pineapple for a blast of tropical sweetness and a bit of winter tartness. This recipe also uses store-bought ingredients to make each step a breeze.

Spiced Cherry Upside Down Cake

Everyone can become a star baker after flipping over this upside down cake to reveal beautifully caramelized cherries covering the entire top of the cake. We recommend using both sweet and tart cherries for the perfect flavor combination. You can even use frozen cherries from the grocery store’s freezer case in case you end up making this cake last minute.

Ginger Pear Upside-Down Cake

Who knew pears and ginger together could be so good? The sweetness of the pears compliments the heat of ginger in this upside down cake. For this recipe, you’ll make it in a cast iron skillet for a rustic look and crispy, syrupy topping. Plus, serving this cake warm only makes it better.

Easy Upside Down Fruitcake

We know fruitcake is a hot topic around the holidays but we promise even the haters will enjoy this version. Instead of the plasticky bits of candied fruit you see in most varieties, we use high-quality dried fruits for a wonderful texture and a delicious flavor. A bit of Amaretto di Saronno added near the end places a boozy finish on this holiday classic.

Banana Raisin Ginger Upside Down Cake

Part banana bread, part upside down cake, and entirely delicious. Made in a loaf pan, our Banana Raisin Ginger Upside Down Cake is reminiscent of a bananas foster dessert. Perfect it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side and be transported back to the good days of the 1970s.

Story by Kylie Thomas

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TABLE Magazine’s Best Weeknight Dinners of 2024

By

Emma Riva

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November 25, 2024

If there’s one meal that will always be timeless (and necessary), it’s the weeknight dinner. You throw together what you have, tired from a long day of work, school, or chores at home. Pasta, chicken, and stew are often the weeknight heroes, but you can still have quality, delicious meals even when you’re running on low battery on a dreary Wednesday night, dreading getting up the next day and doing it all again. A good weeknight dinner can be a moment of needed pause in a slog of a weekly schedule. So, without further ado, here are our best weeknight dinners of 2024.

TABLE Magazine’s Best Weeknight Dinners of 2024

Chicken with Blackberry Sauce

This was our top weeknight dinner of 2024, from James Beard cookbook winner Cheryl Alters Jamison. It’s easy to see why it was so popular, with a mouthwatering homemade blackberry sauce combined with crispy chicken breast. Chicken is so protein-rich and healthy, it’s one of the best weeknight dinners of all time, not just 2024.

Dill Pickle Potato Salad

Need kids to eat their veggies? Hiding them in a creamy potato salad is one strategy to sneak some of those pesky health foods into a family meal. The dill pickle in this recipe adds a little satisfying crunch that both kid and adults will enjoy. We serve it up with some leftover protein, but just as often we have it all by itself.

Twice-Baked Butternut Squash with Brie

Who doesn’t love a recipe where all you do is stick it in the oven? Well, in this case, twice. The combination of tender butternut squash with the creaminess of Brie makes this an easy home-bake project that will make you feel like you’re eating at a restaurant. (You can also have fun with the presentation!)

Roasted Sheet Pan Veggies with Spicy Glaze

On the theme of just sticking things in the oven, this is one of the easiest of easy weeknight dinners. You literally just layer a sheet pan with veggies, toss together a spicy glaze, drizzle it on top, shut the oven door, and voila. There you have it, a healthy, delicious dinner with a kick from the spicy sauce.

Baked Mac and Cheese by Aunt Cheryl

It’s impossible to say no to mac and cheese, particularly Cheryl Johnson’s comfort food classic baked into a shareable pan size. She says “This baked mac and cheese recipe brings back memories of, family, special dinners, Christmas, Thanksgiving, celebrations, holidays and the joy of eating together, and enjoying time with loved ones. This dish is for celebrations!” Sometimes that celebration can be as simple as enjoying time with family or a self-care night on a weeknight.

Kapustnica (Slovakian Christmas Stew)

Though in Slovakia this recipe is typically for Christmastime, that just means it has an extra spirit of appreciation and togetherness infused into it. Try Nina Katz’s traditional recipe with a mixture of the umami of mushrooms and the slight tang of sauerkraut.

Chicken in Mustard and Appelstroop

Appelstroop has come all the way from the Netherlands right to your kitchen. This is another case where chicken and fruit make a winning combination (and our readers agreed!). It’s easy and you will impress your family and friends with your knowledge of an obscure European culinary element.

Mediterranean Stew

This is a stew that embraces the slower pace of life in the Mediterranean, with the comforting and cozy elements of the stew. Throw the cannellini beans, carrots, and tomatoes into a pot with some vegetable broth, and enjoy.

Wintertime Rice and Beans

Some say rice and beans are basic, but they couldn’t be more wrong. This meal gets protein, starch, and flavor all in one. Our rice and beans recipe is especially enjoyable in the wintertime, when the body often needs extra nutrients. Serve it with leftover holiday ham or turkey this winter and you will be delighted with the combination.

Kimchi Fried Rice

Fried rice is another weeknight dinner hero, and we wanted to shout it out as one of the best of 2024, particularly since this recipe comes from beloved Pittsburgh restaurant Nak Won Garden. Bring a taste of a favorite restaurant home with you.

Story by Emma Riva

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Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake

By

Keith Recker

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November 22, 2024

A Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake sits in a white loaf pan, cut into slices with bananas and raisins on top and two forks sitting beside the pan.

Do you ever feel nostalgia for that 1970s classic dessert, Bananas Foster? Standing tableside, a server would flambée bananas, butter, rum and sugar, and spoon them onto a crepe or over ice cream. So simple and so glamorous. This easy upside down cake won’t have the fire marshal showing up at your door, even as it delivers a similar flavor profile. Try it some chilly winter night, and enjoy the deliciousness of caramelized bananas and the zing of ginger.

How to Grind Your Own Spices

This Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake recipe uses ground spices such as ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. In case you want to use the freshest ingredients possible and grind your own spices, we have a few tips to make it a bit easier. There are a few different instruments you can use. With a mortar and pestle, you’re just going to grind the spices into the bottom of the pestle. Or, you can use a dedicated spice grinder. This convenient tool is great for grinding small quantities of spices into a fine powder. But, if you have neither of these on hand you can use a coffee grinder. Just be careful to clean it out well as the spices can affect the taste of your next pot of coffee…though you might enjoy the aromatic taste experience!

Banana Ginger Upside Down Cake

Author: Keith Recker

Description

Imagine a banana’s foster treat in upside down cake form.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Topping:

½ cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 or 3 tbsp spiced rum
½ cup raisins
1 bananas (1 sliced lengthwise in half, and one sliced in rounds)

For the Cake:

1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder 
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground ginger
Generous pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter (room temperature)
½ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp molasses
2 eggs (room temperature)
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tbsp spiced rum

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Instructions

Remove butter and eggs from refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Oil a non-stick loaf pan. Cut a rectangle of parchment paper to line bottom.
Combine all topping ingredients except bananas in a saucepan. Stir gently with a spatula until butter is bubbling and all ingredients are well combined. Turn off heat and set aside.
Arrange the sliced bananas, flat sides down, on the parchment paper.
Pour the saucepan of butter, sugar, and raisins mixture over the bananas. Use the tip of a teaspoon to nudge raisins into any spaces not covered by bananas.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix all cake ingredients together on medium speed until well combined. We use a whipping cage for this. Scrape the bowl down at least once.
Pour the cake batter over the bananas in the loaf pan. Spread it evenly with a spatula.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a wooden skewer emerges cleanly from the cake.
Remove the cake from the oven and place on cooling rack. Let it settle and cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
Place a platter over the loaf pan. Using oven mitts, place one hand on the platter and the other under the loaf pan. Flip quickly. The parchment paper should make removing the loaf pan very easy.
Carefully remove the parchment paper. Keep a table knife in one hand to scrape any raisin back into place.
Slice and serve while still warm with dollops of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

Recipe by Keith Recker / Styling by Anna Franklin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Spiced Cherry Upside Down Cake

By

Keith Recker

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November 22, 2024

This Spiced Cherry Upside Down Cake is a beautiful winter classic! Frozen cherries from the grocery store put this classic within easy reach of even the most inexperienced baker. So does this recipe, which requires no technique (except at the end when you flip the pan over onto a platter to expose beautifully caramelized cherries). It’s also good to note that you can mix tart and sweet frozen cherries to create more of a complex flavor. But, if you prefer one over the other, feel free to use only one type. This easy, beautiful, and delicious dessert will be the star of your holiday table.

Tips for Baking with Frozen Cherries

When baking with frozen cherries, it’s important to thaw them properly to avoid excess moisture in your baked goods. Place the frozen cherries in a colander to drain any excess liquid. You can also pat them dry with paper towels to make sure they’re totally dry. Since we’re using the cherries in a cake, we don’t have to thaw them completely. Instead, the heat from the oven will help to thaw them as they bake.

Spiced Cherry Upside Down Cake

Author: Keith Recker

Description

All your favorite flavors of winter in an upside down cake.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Topping:

5 tbsp butter
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp corn starch
2 tbsp brandy
4 cups frozen cherries (preferably half tart and half sweet, more if needed)

For the Cake:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk

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Instructions

Remove butter and eggs from refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350°F.
Oil a 10” cast iron skillet. Cut a circle of parchment to line bottom and sides.
Combine all topping ingredients in a saucepan. Stir gently with a spatula until butter is bubbling and all ingredients are well combined. Turn off heat and set aside.
Place the frozen cherries on top of the parchment paper, creating an orderly single layer of fruit. Cover the entire bottom of the pan in cherries, using more than 4 cups if needed.
Pour the saucepan of butter and sugar mixture over the cherries. Set skillet aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix all cake ingredients together on medium speed until well combined. We use a whipping cage for this. Scrape the bowl down at least once.
Pour the cake batter over the fruit in the skillet. Spread it gently and evenly with a spatula, being careful not to disturb the cherries.
Bake for 40 minutes or until a wooden skewer emerges cleanly from the cake.
Remove the cake from the oven and place on cooling rack. Let it settle and cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
Place a platter over the skillet. Put oven mitts on your hands, with one hand on the platter and the other under the bottom of the skillet. Flip quickly. The parchment paper should make removing the skillet very easy.
Carefully remove the parchment paper. Keep a table knife in one hand to scrape any cherries back into places.
Slice and serve while still warm with dollops of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.

Recipe by Keith Recker / Styling by Anna Franklin / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Easy Upside Down Fruitcake

By

Keith Recker

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November 22, 2024

A square shaped upside down fruitcake cut into squares sits on a green plate surrounded by candied fruit slices and nuts.

Remember the old remark “nutty as a fruitcake”? We propose that “delicious as a fruitcake” would be more appropriate – at least if you use this recipe. Are you skeptical? Don’t be: we’ve skipped all the strange flavors and textures of candied citrus peels and preserved cherries and opted instead for high quality dried fruits. Plus, we add a generous basting of Amaretto di Saronno at the very end, just to get that delicious kick of boozy sweetness we crave on long winter evenings. Needless to say, this is a fruitcake all will actually enjoy.

Where Did Fruitcake Come From?

Fruitcake is a rich and dense fruit-filled cake that has a longer history than you may think. Its origins go back to ancient Rome. Here, similar cakes were made with pine nuts, dried fruit, and honey. Over time, the recipe continued to evolve, incorporating ingredients from various cultures. During the Victorian era, fruitcake became a popular holiday treat, often featuring exotic fruits and spices and closely resembling the form we know today. This eventually led to the dessert that takes over Christmas tables and keeps generations perplexed with its complex flavors.

Easy Upside Down Fruitcake

Author: Keith Recker