National Fruitcake Day is celebrated annually on December 27. Few holiday foods inspire such strong opinions as fruitcake. Jokes about regifting it or refusing a slice have become almost as traditional as serving it in the first place. Yet this dense, fruit-packed cake has survived centuries of changing tastes, returning to holiday tables year after year.
Historically, fruitcake began as a method of preserving fruit and nuts for the winter months, using sugar and alcohol long before modern refrigeration. Over time, industrial baking altered the cake’s texture and flavor, prioritizing long shelf life and mass production, which contributed to its negative reputation.
Despite this, fruitcake remains a steady commercial product, with sales rising sharply in the days leading up to Christmas. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in traditional and homemade versions, particularly among those who appreciate complex flavors and older baking methods, where slow aging and quality ingredients result in a cake far removed from its widely mocked reputation.
When is National Fruitcake Day Celebrated?
National Fruitcake Day is celebrated annually on December 27, falling just after the Christmas holiday season. The table below shows how the observance lands on the calendar in the coming years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 27, Saturday |
| 2026 | December 27, Sunday |
| 2027 | December 27, Monday |
| 2028 | December 27, Wednesday |
| 2029 | December 27, Thursday |
| 2030 | December 27, Friday |
Facts About Fruitcake
Fruitcake’s long history and mixed reputation often hide how unusual it is as a food. These facts highlight why it continues to stand apart from other holiday desserts.
- Symbol of abundance: In medieval Europe, the use of dried fruits and nuts made fruitcakes a symbol of wealth, and they were often served at holiday banquets.
- Designed to improve with time: Unlike most cakes, fruitcake is meant to rest. Aging allows moisture, alcohol, and spices to blend, which is why many bakers consider it better weeks or even months after baking rather than fresh from the oven.
- Practically indestructible: The combination of sugar, dried fruit, and alcohol creates a naturally hostile environment for bacteria. This preservation quality explains why fruitcake has been used in long voyages, military shipments, and extreme environments, including polar expeditions. Some fruitcakes can last for years, and one 106-year-old fruitcake was even found perfectly preserved in Antarctica!
- Modern reputation shaped by mass production: Modern dislike is often linked to factory-made versions engineered for transport and long shelf life, not traditional recipes. These versions shaped public opinion far more than homemade or bakery-style fruitcakes.
- A sales paradox: Despite its long-standing negative reputation as a gift nobody wants, more than two million fruitcakes are sold annually in the United States. In 2025, purchases surged in the final days before Christmas, rising by nearly 986%.
- Demographic shift: Interest in fruitcake is growing among younger consumers who look for complex flavors and traditional food processes. This group often compares well-made fruitcake to aged spirits, dark chocolate, or fermented foods rather than to modern sponge cakes.
Ways to Celebrate National Fruitcake Day
National Fruitcake Day offers an easy excuse to revisit a dessert with a long and unusual history. These ideas keep the focus practical and approachable.
- Bake a small batch: Get into the kitchen and bake a traditional fruitcake from scratch. You can go with the classic recipe soaked in brandy or try a new spin with chocolate or other flavor enhancements.
- Share the love: Gift fruitcakes to friends or family. You might even surprise someone who hasn’t tasted a good one!
