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–+ servings
Unbaked Fruit Cake from B. Zody
This Unbaked Fruit Cake is a no-bake holiday classic made with crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, and a mix of dried fruits and nuts, all bound together with rich sweetened condensed milk. It's a delightful throwback to mid-century American entertaining when convenience desserts were all the rage. The dense texture and jewel-like bits of cherries and dates make it festive and ideal for slicing into neat bars or rounds. It’s especially beloved for its simplicity and nostalgic charm, requiring no oven and minimal preparation, just mix, chill, and serve.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 slices
Calories 497 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb graham crackers (ground)
  • 1 lb marshmallows (chopped)
  • 1 lb English walnuts (chopped)
  • 1 lb dates (chopped)
  • ¾ lb candied cherries (chopped)
  • 1 slice orange rind (finely chopped)
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

  • Grind graham crackers into fine crumbs.
  • Chop marshmallows, walnuts, dates, cherries, and orange rind.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, combine all chopped ingredients and graham cracker crumbs.

Step 3: Add Condensed Milk

  • Pour in 1 can of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (do not substitute other milk types).

Step 4: Mix Thoroughly

  • Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated and sticky.

Step 5: Shape and Chill

  • Press mixture onto a plate or into a glass dish.
  • Refrigerate in a cool place for about 2 hours, or until firm.

Step 6: Serve

  • Slice and serve chilled. Best served from a glass dish for presentation.

Tips

  • Line the dish with wax paper or parchment for easier slicing
  • Chill overnight for cleaner cuts and firmer texture
  • Chop fruit and nuts very evenly for best structure
  • Use a food processor for graham crackers but hand-chop fruit
  • Substitute pecans for walnuts if desired
  • Add extra orange rind for stronger citrus flavor
  • Press firmly into the dish to avoid crumbling
  • Slice with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 8gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 194mgPotassium: 364mgFiber: 4gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 2mg
Keyword fruit cake, holiday dessert, make-ahead, marshmallow dessert, no bake dessert, retro sweets, vintage recipe
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