
Fruitcake Trivia Quiz
Fruitcake: Love it, hate it, or only eat it because Grandma insists—it’s a dessert that sparks strong feelings. But today, we’re leaving opinions behind and diving straight into the heart (or batter) of the matter. What makes a fruitcake? Better yet, how well do you really know the ingredients that go into this classic treat?
If you’ve ever unwrapped a fruitcake at Christmas and wondered what’s inside—or if your curiosity goes beyond the kitchen—this fruitcake trivia quiz is for you. Packed with sweet facts, surprising history, and a generous dose of trivia, this quiz will test your knowledge and teach you a thing or two along the way. You’ll discover the hidden origins of spices, the surprising journey of brandy, and why nutmeg was once worth more than gold.
Let’s warm up your trivia muscles with a classic fruitcake recipe. Trust us, you’ll want to get acquainted with the main ingredients before jumping into the quiz.
Classic Fruitcake Recipe
This traditional fruitcake is moist, rich, and packed with dried fruits and nuts. Perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150g) raisins
- 1 cup (150g) dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup (75g) chopped candied cherries
- 1/2 cup (75g) chopped candied orange peel
- 1/4 cup (60ml) brandy or orange juice
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup (120g) chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup (60ml) molasses
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8x4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the raisins, cranberries, candied cherries, and candied orange peel. Add the brandy or orange juice, mix well, and let soak for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in the soaked fruits (along with any liquid), nuts, and molasses until evenly distributed.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 60–75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the fruitcake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Wrap the cooled fruitcake tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. For enhanced flavor, brush with additional brandy before wrapping and let it age for 1–2 weeks.
Pro Tip:
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute the brandy with orange juice for soaking and skip the brushing step.
3 Fruitcake Fun Facts
- The first fruitcakes date back to ancient Rome, where they were made with barley, pomegranate seeds, and nuts.
- In the Victorian era, fruitcakes were considered a luxury and served at weddings.
- The world’s oldest fruitcake is over 100 years old—and still edible!
How to Take the Fruitcake Trivia Quiz
Whether you’re a fruitcake fanatic or someone who just loves trivia, this quiz offers something for everyone. Each question highlights an ingredient, and every answer comes with an explanation, so you’ll walk away smarter—and maybe even ready to bake a fruitcake of your own.
- Click “Start Quiz” to begin.
- Answer 17 questions, each about a fruitcake ingredient. Don’t worry—each question is multiple-choice.
- After answering, read the explanation to learn more fascinating facts.
- Finish the quiz to see your score and unlock your result.
- Share your score with friends and climb our leaderboards!
Are you ready to test your knowledge? Let’s find out if you’re a trivia master or just here for the fun. Click “Start Quiz” and let the fruitcake facts fly!
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Get PremiumFruitcake Trivia Quiz Questions
Which spice, often used in fruitcake, is a key ingredient in the popular 'pumpkin spice' flavor?

Garlic
Pepper
Cinnamon
Saffron
What is butter primarily made from?

Almonds
Olive oil
Milk
Coconuts
Baking soda plays a crucial role in fruitcake, acting as a leavening agent. It is commonly known by what chemical name?

Sodium bicarbonate
Magnesium sulfate
Calcium carbonate
Potassium nitrate
What nut, pictured here and commonly used in fruitcake, is known for its distinctive shell that splits when ripe?

Chestnut
Hazelnut
Walnut
Pecan
What do the white stringy bits, called the chalaza, in an egg indicate?

Fertilization state
Freshness
Color
Flavor
What spice, often used in traditional fruitcakes, comes from the dried aril of the nutmeg seed?

Cinnamon
Clove
Mace
Ginger
Brandy acts as a natural preservative for fruitcake. It gets its name from a Dutch word meaning what?

Aged grape
Distilled liquor
Barrel spirit
Burnt wine
What dried fruit, a common fruitcake ingredient, is made by drying grapes?

Dates
Raisins
Figs
Prunes
Maraschino cherries, often used in fruitcake, are preserved using what substance?

Vinegar
Alcohol
Sugar syrup
Salt
What ingredient, used as a sweetener in fruitcakes, is made by boiling sugarcane or sugar beet juice?

Corn syrup
Maple syrup
Molasses
Honey
Which spice, also found in fruitcake, is derived from dried flower buds?

Cardamom
Cloves
Coriander
Saffron
What type of flour is commonly used in fruitcakes to create a dense texture?

Corn flour
Rice flour
All-purpose flour
Almond flour
Cinnamon, used in fruitcake, is derived from which part of the plant?

Roots
Leaves
Seeds
Bark
Nutmeg was once so valuable it was traded for control of an island of which country?

Portugal
Australia
Vietnam
Indonesia
Lemon zest adds fresh flavor to a fruitcake. What is the name of the Italian liqueur made from lemon peels?

Aperol
Grappa
Limoncello
Sambuca
Vanilla extract is often added to the batter to enhance the overall flavor of the cake. Vanilla comes primarily from which plant?

Marigold
Hibiscus
Orchid
Magnolia
Which country is credited with creating the first modern fruitcake?

Italy
England
France
Germany
12 Comments
14/17
10/17. I was surprised I got that many right
11/17 – not really a cake eater
15/17. I thought I didn’t know brandy until I saw the correct answer. It rang a bell then so I should have got that one right. Sometimes I just can’t locate the stuff lost in my brain.
13/17
14/17
17/17 fantastic!!!!
12 / 17 – 70% I love fruitcake; I eat it throughout the year.
17/17
8/17 👍🏻
5/17
I don’t recommend this quiz, the questions are way too hard and I guessed for the 5 that I got right
17/17