This nostalgic Unbaked Fruit Cake is a sweet, chewy, and nutty no-bake treat that brings together classic holiday ingredients without the need for an oven. Perfect for festive gatherings or vintage dessert lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 lb graham crackers (ground)
- 1 lb marshmallows (chopped)
- 1 lb English walnuts (chopped)
- 1 lb dates (chopped)
- ¼ lb candied cherries (chopped)
- 1 slice orange rind (finely chopped)
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (preferably Eagle Brand)
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Chop the marshmallows, walnuts, dates, candied cherries, and orange rind. Grind the graham crackers if not already done.
Mix dry ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham crackers, chopped marshmallows, walnuts, dates, candied cherries, and orange rind.
Add condensed milk
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the dry mixture. (Use Eagle Brand if possible, as the original recipe recommends.)
Combine thoroughly
- Stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated and stick together.
Shape and chill
- Press the mixture firmly onto a plate or into a dish lined with parchment paper.
Refrigerate
- Place in a refrigerator or cool location for about 2 hours until the cake is firm.
Serve
- Slice and serve directly from the dish. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Line the dish for easy removal: use parchment paper or plastic wrap in your dish or pan before pressing in the mixture—this makes slicing and serving much easier.
- Slightly warm the condensed milk: if the mixture is too stiff to stir, gently warm the sweetened condensed milk for a few seconds. This helps it blend more smoothly.
- Use mini marshmallows: mini marshmallows are easier to mix and melt slightly, helping the cake bind better.
- Chill overnight for best results: while 2 hours is enough, chilling overnight improves texture and flavor, and makes it easier to slice.
Nutrition
Calories: 577kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 9gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 242mgPotassium: 455mgFiber: 5gSugar: 58gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 2mg
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