Joe Doakes from Como Park emails:
I need advice from SITD readers.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve ordered brandy-soaked Monastery Fruitcake from the Cistercian Monks at Holy Cross Abbey in Virginia. My mother served it to her old lady friends and their verdict was “It’s very good for store-bought,” which, coming from those people, is the second-highest possible rating behind “as good as my Mother used to make.”
The monks aren’t selling fruitcake this year. They’ve suspended fruitcake production for 2014 to embark on a spiritual renewal to deepen their commitment to monastic life. Arrrgh! Okay, yes, monks, spiritual, I get it. But where will I get my fruitcake???!!!
Recommendations?
Joe Doakes
They can’t possibly be the only fruitcake making monks in America, can they?
What Mitch said.
try craigslist, some one probably has one in the back of a cupboard somewhere. they never go bad do they?
Hey Joe,
I have always been partial to Grandma’s Bakery from Beatrice NE. I believe these are the same ones that Cabela’s has on sale now. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Grandmas-Famous-Fruitcake/716782.uts?productVariantId=1666141&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=42-4161733-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=65056300&rid=20
This is a high quality product with no weird fruits and a good multi-spirit soaking. Enjoy!
Based on last Tuesday’s results, I’d say it can’t be too hard to find a fruitcake in Minnesota.
If you’re feeling energetic, I’ve got a good recipe. You can then soak it with spirits of your choice, as my grandparents often did, starting with the time they forget the pineapple juice one year and used rum as a substitute.
I never saw her drink the stuff, but boy oh boy would my grandmother bake with it. :^)
Long time lurker, but registered to plug a family favorite – take a look at Gethsemani Farms in Trappist, Ky. if you’re looking for another monk-made alternative. Their fruitcake is bourbon soaked, rather than brandy, but still very good.
The Missouri Trappists make fruitcake as well that is very well regarded and brandied.http://www.assumptionabbey.org/fruitcakes.asp