Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars and Happy Holidays!

Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars
My phone buzzed me early this morning with news of yet another scandal. Oh I was shocked; not him too…… so hard to listen to day after day. But the beauty of having a news app is that I can also remove it. Now only good and hopeful thoughts for me till after the holidays. Not realistic you say, well my husband watches the news enough for the both of us and actually enjoys it, so why not.

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays!
So it’s show time folks and time is flying by with lightning speed. There is still so much to do and plan, the holidays are here. I’ve decided to start the season off right with these Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars. And oh are these good! They are packed with dried crystallized ginger, cherries, oranges, golden raisins and walnuts. They are dense and chewy. The bourbon glaze is subtle but if you’re not a fan maple syrup would work beautifully. The trick to these bars as you know there’s always a trick; is to stir the dry ingredients until everything is moistened and then press the batter firmly into the pan.

Here’s to a wonderful and happy season, sending lots of positive hugs your way, from my kitchen to yours, xo, Cheri

Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars  and Happy Holidays!


Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars

Dense and chewy, these Bourbon Glazed Fruitcake Bars are a wonderful treat for the holidays!

ingredients:

For The Bars
  • Vegetable cooking spray or unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped raw walnuts
  • 1/3 cup dried golden raisins
  • 1/3 cup dried cherries
  • 1/3 cup dried mandarin oranges (found these at Trader Joe's)
  • 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, minced
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
For The Glaze
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 teaspoons bourbon
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, (sift)

instructions:


  1. Preheat oven to 325°. In a  8 - inch square pan; butter or spray sides and bottom, line bottom and sides with parchment paper, lightly grease parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl add flour and next 4 ingredients, stir until combined, then add sugar and next 5 ingredients, (break up any clusters of dried fruit).
  3. Add egg, stirring until blended. (important step) Make sure all ingredients are moist.  Press batter into prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until set.
  5. Let cool approx. 20 minutes, then remove bars from pan and let set until completely cool. Ready to make glaze.
  6. Stir together butter and bourbon in a small bowl. Whisk in powdered sugar; drizzle glaze over cooled fruitbars. Enjoy!

notes

Important: stir the dry ingredients until everything is moistened and then press the batter firmly into the pan.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Comments

  1. Happy holidays to you, too, Cheri! I totally relate to needing a break from the news. I feel like there won't be anyone left soon...very disappointing. But as you said, the holidays require we focus on the positive...and most importantly, on all things sweet! ; ) Your bourbon glazed fruitcake bars are totally getting me into the spirit!

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    1. Thanks Monica, I've already had double what I promised myself I would eat today. Let the baking begin I say!

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  2. I've never seen fruit cake bars before but absolutely love the idea! Bourbon is always a good idea especially with fruit cakes. I posted a fruit cake that is literally soaked, soaked and soaked again in bourbon. So delicious and full of holiday spirit :) Time is speeding by and I've got to get it together :) Have a lovely week!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Tricia, it sure is flying by, sometimes I feel like I am moving in slow motion.

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  3. looks absolutely delicious and wonderful Cheri!

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  4. I agree the news has been very depressing these days. I wonder where it will all end. The thought of bourbon glazed fruitcake bars makes me happy though. These look yummy. Perfect for the holidays.

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    1. Thanks Dawn, if I watch tv anymore it is the food channel or hallmark, lol

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  5. These look so much better than fruitcake! So yummy!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Liz, both my husband and I ate the whole thing. Usually I have much better self-control;)

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  6. These look so good. I am a bit of a news addict but only watch British news.

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  7. You too have a peaceful and fun holiday, Cheri. These cookie bars would be a hit in our house too.

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  8. This cake is nothing short of amazing. Wow. Thank you Cheri. Sending hugs your way, too. And may you have a loving holiday season. D

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  9. The news is upsetting to me even here in Germany. I love to have your fruitcake bars with my tea right now.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Gerlinde, appreciate the kind comment, they are wonderful with tea;)

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  10. These bars are such a creative twist on fruitcake! They look delicious. I agree about the news.... it gets to be too much sometimes.

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  11. Cheri! These look scrumptious...worthy of a Holiday Dessert. Sending the recipe to my daughter to consider for Christmas, New Years menus! MMMMMMMMmmmmm...waiting in anticipation for her decision. Merry Christmas to you and the Mister!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sandra, so nice to hear from you!!! Are you going to your daughter's for the holidays? bet it's getting cold in your neck of the woods. It has been unseasonably warm here. Happy holidays to you, Rick and your famiy!!!

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  12. When I commented on Instagram that these looked “almost healthy," I was actually joking – I thought they would be a seriously decadent treat. But, now that I’ve read the recipe, I can see they actually ARE quite healthy. A little sugar never hurt anyone, did it? Especially since most of the sugar comes from the fruit. The only ingredient I don’t have in the cupboard are the dried mandarin orange slices, and I’m on my way to Trader Joe’s in a few minutes! Am making these for a treat for the office!

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    Replies
    1. lol, well yes they are almost healthy;). Love the mandarin orange slices from Trader Joe's have to pace myself. Take care xo, C

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  13. These sound amazing Cheri, a perfect way to start the seaon! Well, probably perfect all the way through!

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    1. Thanks Chris, yes they would be except my husband and I ate them all in just a couple of days, usually I have more restraint......

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  14. I wonder how many apps were uninstalled last week?! We uninstalled two different ones on both of our phones. Haven't missed them a bit either.
    Your bars sound fantastic. This is definitely my kind of bar!

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    1. Thanks Kris, Happy holidays to you and your husband.

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  15. I'd be going for the Bourbon glaze :) And yes, Christmas will be here before we know it...

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  16. Yummy...Heading to TJ's soon for those dried Mandarin orange bits. I've been pretty busy at work but I knew I had to nab the recipe for your gorgeous looking gems this weekend. Happy holidays to you and yours Cheri!

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  17. I love the flavor that whiskey brings to frostings! These look like such a wonderful treat, Cheri, and very holiday-worthy!

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  18. So much fun flavors together in one cake! Even though I'm a chocolate lover, this looks like a treat I would definitely enjoy. Thank you for sharing.. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

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  19. i always wonder who's next...
    what a great way to tweak fruitcake! these bars are somehow much more appealing...perhaps it's that glaze. :)

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  20. What a perfect way to kick start your festive season :D

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  21. Love the idea of fruitcake bars. No TJ's in our area but have everything else.

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  22. I like fruitcake, but no matter how thinly you slice it, a piece is just too big. This bars are the perfect solution! All the flavor in a much more reasonable portion size. Thanks. And Happy Holidays!

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  23. I cooked this last night and i must thank you for this delicious recipe. The way you have explained helped me cooking this recipe.

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  24. Looking a fantastic dish. I would like to share my view after making on this weekend.
    Thank you for sharing!

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  25. These look so much better than fruitcake!

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  26. I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.

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