Fruitcake, often recognized for its rich flavors and dense texture, has been a decadent holiday tradition for many. As the festive season approaches, discerning which brands offer the best versions can enhance your celebrations. From traditional recipes soaked in rum and loaded with fruits to innovative takes that cater to modern palates, there are numerous brands that stand out in the market. To guide you through the delicious maze of options, we have compiled a list of the best brands for fruitcake below.
Illustration of fruitcake
Best brands of fruitcake in 2025
Claxton Fruit Cake
Claxton Fruit Cake, a brand renowned for its traditional holiday appeal, has been a quality choice for millions since 1910. Producing over 5 million pounds of fruit cake annually, with 86,000 pounds made in an average day, Claxton Bakery is a family-run business that has maintained its original recipe since the 1940s. The cakes, made with high-quality ingredients like Georgia pecans, walnuts, and almonds, constitute over 80% fruits and nuts, ensuring minimal filler content. Claxton Fruit Cake is distributed across all 50 states and globally, with significant sales during the holiday season. The brand's commitment to honesty and integrity has solidified its position as a beloved dessert.
Collin Street Bakery
Collin Street Bakery, founded in 1896 in Corsicana, Texas, is renowned as one of the best producers of fruitcake, selling approximately 3 million pounds of fruitcake annually, which translates to 1.5 million individual cakes. The bakery's DeLuxe(r) Fruitcake, made with premium ingredients like North American pecans, Oregon cherries, and Costa Rican pineapple, accounts for 98% of the company's total sales. The bakery has a global reach, shipping to 196 countries and maintaining a 100% satisfaction guarantee. It has also been recognized with the President's "E" Award and continues to innovate in its mail-order and online sales. The bakery's legacy is deeply rooted in family traditions and has been sustained through generations of the McNutt family. For more on their tradition-rich offerings, explore the Collin Street Bakery website.
Mary Berry's
Mary Berry's brand, in collaboration with Finsbury Food Group, has established itself as a top producer of high-quality cakes, including fruitcakes, with a range that has broken into the top 10 in sales just a year after its launch in 2017. The range, which includes various cake types, saw 8 out of 10 consumers more likely to buy a cake with Mary Berry's name on it, according to Finsbury's research. The cakes are made with natural ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, and the range has been highly successful, with the initial launch valued at PS5.9m by 2019. Mary Berry's involvement ensures the cakes meet her high standards, as seen in the extension of the range in 2019 which included new lines inspired by her well-loved recipes. This collaboration has made Mary Berry's cakes a favorite among consumers.
Liberty Orchards
Liberty Orchards, though no longer in operation since its closure in 2021, was renowned for its high-quality fruit and nut confections, particularly its iconic Aplets & Cotlets, which have been a favorite since the 1930s. The company, founded in 1918 by Armenian business partners Armen Tertsagian and Mark Balaban, was based in Cashmere, Washington, and had an annual revenue of $15 million. Liberty Orchards' products, including their Berry Delights, were known for their fresh fruit flavors and nut combinations, with options like strawberry-walnut and raspberry-pecan. The company also offered sugar-free, nut-free, and chocolate-covered varieties, catering to a wide range of consumers. Despite its closure, Liberty Orchards' legacy in the confectionery industry remains significant.
Southern Supreme
Southern Supreme is renowned as one of the best producers of fruitcake, known for its unique 'less fruit, more nuts' approach, using 95 pounds of pecans and walnuts in every 300-pound batch. The company sold 225,000 pounds of fruitcake in 2018 and employs over 100 seasonal workers during the holiday season. Founded in 1990, Southern Supreme has expanded its product line to include cookies, candy, chocolate, jelly, and jams, and ships its products nationwide. The fruitcakes are made with rich English walnuts, fresh pecans, and other high-quality ingredients, and are hand-decorated and beautifully packaged. This family-owned business has undergone 10 remodels and enlargements since its inception. You can explore their delectable offerings, including the loved Southern Supreme Fruitcake, online.
Trappist Abbey
The Trappist Abbey brand, specifically Assumption Abbey, is renowned for producing some of the world's best fruitcakes, with an annual production of about 30,000 cakes. These fruitcakes are made with meticulous care, involving a two-week soaking of candied and dried fruit in four gallons of Burgundy wine and a subsequent aging process of at least two months. The monks of Assumption Abbey handle every step of the process, from marinating the fruit to packing and mailing the finished product. The fruitcakes are rich and moist, featuring ingredients like raisins, pineapple, currants, walnuts, and rum, and are even featured in the Williams-Sonoma Holiday Catalogue. Despite the general perception of fruitcake, Assumption Abbey's sales have seen a significant boost, including unseasonable sales during spring and summer.
Harry & David
Harry & David is renowned for its exquisite fruitcakes, a tradition that began in 1947 with a proprietary recipe that has been a closely guarded secret. The company produces around 40,000 fruitcakes annually, with sales increasing by 20% in some years, such as in 1997 when they shipped nearly 100,000 fruitcakes. Their Traditional Fruitcake has maintained a strong fanbase for generations, and the recipe is so protected that it is broken down into separate steps performed by different individuals. Harry & David's fruitcakes are made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring a consistent and superior product. The company's commitment to quality has earned them top recommendations, such as from Consumer Reports.
Robert Lambert
Robert Lambert's artisan fruitcakes, crafted in Marin County, California, are renowned for their exceptional quality, using locally sourced and rare fruit varieties. These small-batch fruitcakes, made by hand, are free from processed and artificial ingredients, and are available in both dark and white flavors, with the option to purchase aged vintages from previous years. The aging process, which can extend up to two years, enhances the complexity of the flavors. Robert Lambert's products have been consistently praised, earning multiple "Top Pick of The Week" recommendations. His fruitcakes are highly sought after and sell out quickly, especially during the holiday season. For more insights and details about his exquisite creations, visit the Robert Lambert Blog.
Grandma's Bake Shoppe
Grandma's Bake Shoppe is renowned for its exceptional fruitcakes, with a recipe that dates back to 1917 and has remained a beloved tradition ever since. The bakery, originally founded by two German brothers, has maintained its original recipe despite changes in ownership and facility locations, including its current base in Beatrice, Nebraska since 1964. Their fruitcakes are hand-decorated and allowed to mellow to perfection, featuring a rich batter packed with raisins, cherries, pineapple, walnuts, almonds, and pecans, often infused with bourbon, rum, and brandy. The bakery offers various sizes, including a 2lb ring that serves 16-20 people and a 3lb ring that serves 20-28 people. With a commitment to quality and tradition, Grandma's Bake Shoppe has become a national favorite. For more information about their delicious offerings, visit their Grandma's Bake Shoppe website.
Beatrice Bakery Co.
Beatrice Bakery Co. is renowned for its exceptional fruitcakes, a tradition that dates back to 1917 when two German brothers, the Lantz brothers, discovered their grandmother's recipe. The bakery's Grandma's Original Fruitcake is loaded with 67% of the finest fruits and nuts and infused with Bourbon, Brandy, and Rum. This handcrafted fruitcake is made in small batches and aged for up to six months to perfect the flavors. Despite being best known for their fruitcakes, Beatrice Bakery also offers a wide range of other high-quality products, including liqueur cakes and breakfast items. The bakery has maintained its original recipe through multiple ownership changes and is now nationally recognized since 2002.
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