The Surprising Colorado Fruitcake Tradition You’ve Never Heard

Some people think that a fruitcake at Christmas time is kind of an awkward item, perfect for re-gifting. In Colorado, fruitcake is not a punchline – it is a holiday heirloom.

Colorado’s love for holiday fruitcake dates to newspaper recipes shared for decades, community baking, and even a winter festival in our state where cakes take flight. Keep scrolling for a closer look at how this Colorado holiday custom is shared, tossed, and savored.

From Ancient Bread to Colorado Kitchens — The Origins of Fruitcake

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Believe it or not, fruitcake began as an ancient “energy bar.” Dried-fruit cakes were considered an endurance ration. Modern-day versions of these cakes are still shared, reflecting a recipe that traveled through medieval Europe, before becoming the spice-filled loaves we know in Britain and America today.

Vintage fruitcake recipes from 19th-century cookbooks called for generous amounts of dried fruit, nuts, spices, and sometimes spirits for “seasoning.” This dense, durable holiday bread laid the foundation for fruitcake nestled into Colorado kitchens.

Bakers, Homes & The Great Fruitcake Toss — How Colorado Kept It Alive

While fruitcake has faded from its position as a popular holiday menu item in America, in Colorado, many families and bakers have passed on their slow-baked loves to the next generation. Many still soak the cake in spirits or juice before wrapping it to age. One of the best examples of fruitcake's staying power is the Great Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Since 1996, locals have gathered in January at Memorial Park to fling fruitcakes in contests of distance, accuracy, and balance. A portion of the contest even includes the separation of loaves that are “too good to toss.” During the festival, cakes are donated, canned goods are collected for charity, and leftover fruitcakes are given to farmers or even fed to Colorado’s livestock.

Reimagined Fruitcakes & Why They Still Matter in Colorado

In 2025, Coloradans seem to be giving homemade and artisanal baking another shot, and more people have been giving fruitcake a chance, often with an updated recipe. Locally sourced nuts, Colorado-grown fruits, and seasoning with rum or brandy are all part of today’s recipe. Seasoning the cake by wrapping it in an alcohol-soaked cloth dates back centuries and is the key to keeping a fruitcake edible for months.

In Colorado, fruitcake is more than dense bread. It’s a symbol for continuity, thrift, and home. It says: we bake, we remember, and we still try to share.

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