Best Of

Best Fruitcake In Minnesota

January 27, 2016 / 7:00 AM CST / CBS Minnesota

The fruitcake's ancestry might be traced to medieval Europe. In that dark period, peasants and royalty alike celebrated undeservedly fruitful harvests with dark fruitcake. Stern times called for stern measures, including the ingredients measured out for fruitcakes. But at these contemporary artisanal bakeries, where creativity reigns, the fruitcakes are tantalizingly flavorful as well as festive. No need to dig in with hammer, chisel and hacksaw. Moist and chewable, some cakes are delicate enough to melt in your mouth. A spot of tea, mug of cocoa or a cup of gourmet coffee is the best complement.

Bravo! Café & Bakery
1106 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 287-9118
www.bravobakery.net

This cozy Twin Cities bakery sells variations of the traditional fruitcake. While most fruitcakes are destined only for the holiday season, Bravo! makes all-occasion fruitcakes. Tender and moist, these fruitcakes are on the table for graduations, birthdays, baby showers, corporate events and weddings. Full of fresh fruits, rich creamy icing and edible decorative toppings, Bravo! fruitcakes come in vanilla and strawberry. In form and flavor, each fruitcake is an artistic masterpiece.

Italian Bakery Of Virginia
205 1st St. S.
Virginia MN, 55792
(218) 741-3464
www.potica.com

Famous for potica, a Slovenian dessert bread, the Italian Bakery of Virginia also excels in fruitcake. A blended assortment of candied fruits, nuts and rich cream liqueur, the bakery's Italian fruitcake has well proportioned texture, sweetness and flavorful punches. The texture alone has won over fruitcake skeptics. A cup of European espresso completes the dessert treat.

Dorothy Ann Bakery & Café
710 Commerce Drive, Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 731-3323
www.dorothyannbakery.com

Brandied fruitcake from this friendly bakery and café brings more cheer to the holiday season. It also makes a festive treat after the holidays. Made from simple but fresh ingredients, the fruitcake is faintly reminiscent of shortbread. An eight-ounce fruitcake is priced at $9.50. A one-pound fruitcake sells for $15.99. For $27.99, you get a two-pound fruitcake.

Sarah Jane's Bakery
2853 Johnson St., NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-2827
www.sarahjanesbakery.com

Sarah Jane's Bakery believes in using the best ingredients for its baked delicacies. This includes the fresh ingredients packed into the bakery's fruitcake, which can hardly be ignored. Sarah Jane's fruitcake also has a shortbread texture, which might explain the buttery hints. This seasonal and post holiday delight is created from an original recipe. You can buy one pound or 1.5 pounds of fruitcake.

Wuollet Bakery
3608 West 50th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 922-4341
www.wuollet.com

At this Twin Cities bakery, the buttery fruitcake batter is hand-folded. In fact, the batter is all butter. A burst of rum releases the flavors of real pecan, cherries, dates and pineapples enfolded into the batter. A few brushes of homemade glaze add a mouth watering touch. The fruitcake tastes best when served warm and perhaps with a pat of butter or buttery spread. If more butter is too rich for the palate, add a fresh fruit topping.

Benson Bakery
1305 Pacific Ave.
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 842-4681
www.bensonbakery.com

Pecans and cherries are at the core of Benson's down-to-earth fruitcake. Touches of brandy and other ingredients enrich the texture and flavor. The pecans add crunch to the chewiness. Cherries impart an intense fruit flavor that is both sweet and tart. Fruitcakes come in batches of one or two pounds. You can inquire about Benson's custom baked cakes. If you can present a list of the ingredients for your ideal fruitcake, you might come up with a fresh fruitcake concept.

Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.