At the annual cookie party my Aunt ‘Thann used to throw when we were kids, not only would each family get to take home a bucket of Christmas cookies but we would also get a loaf of bread – like this Gumdrop Bread.
It’s kind of like a version of a fruitcake but made with gumdrops. Or rather spice drops. At least spice drops is what I make the bread with – party because I can’t find traditional ‘gumdrops’ anymore and I love the flavor you get from the cinnamon, mint, orange, and clove scented spice drops. I always pick out the anise or black licorice flavor gumdrops. And recently they decided to quit making the anise flavored drops black – making it that much harder to figure out which ones to pick out. This is definitely a taste of my childhood.
Here’s what you need:
Start by mixing together your dry ingredients together with a whisk in a medium bowl. You’ll need flour, baking soda, fresh grated nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
Cut gumdrops into quarters and combine in a medium bowl with golden raisins and walnuts. Add some flour and mix together. Coating them in flour will help them to float throughout the batter instead of sinking to the bottom.
We’re going to use a mixer to make this batter. Start by creaming butter and sugar together using medium speed. Then add an egg and beat.
Next we’re going to alternate adding the flour and applesauce about a third at a time.
Don’t over mix, just mix until combined.
Next add the gumdrop, raisin and nut mixture and use a rubber spatula or spoon to fold it into the batter.
Pour into loaf pans lined with parchment and greased. I lightly grease the pan so the parchment doesn’t slide around then very lightly grease the paper.
Bake at 275-300 degrees for at least two hours until the loaves are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool the loaves completely before slicing.
Slice and enjoy.
These loaves also freeze well if you want to eat one and save one – especially if you have a small household like I do. Just wrap tightly in freezer paper.
- 2 c flour, divided
- ½ t baking soda
- ½ t nutmeg, fresh grated
- ½ t cinnamon
- ¼ t salt
- 1 lb spice drops (no licorice), quartered
- ½ lb golden raisins
- ½ c chopped walnuts
- ½ c butter, softened
- 1 c sugar
- 1 egg
- ¾ c unsweetened applesauce
- Preheat oven to 275-300 degrees. Grease and line 2 - 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk together 1 ½ c flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.
- In another bowl combine spice drops, raisins, walnuts and ½ c flour.
- In a stand mixer (or large bowl with hand mixer) cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in the egg.
- With the mixer on low, alternate adding the flour mixture and apple sauce in thirds. Stop when combined.
- Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula fold in gumdrop mixture.
- Pour into prepared loaf pans.
- Bake for at least 2 hours until golden and a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Having 9 siblings, my mom, your Gramma, used to only allow us one slice of gumdrop cake at a time. And she knew if you snuck more. But what she didn’t realize was if you snuck a whole loaf out of the freezer…which I did. I would hide it in my dresser and have an extra slice every day! Oh I was a naughty little girl. Mom never found me out until I was an adult and came clean. Mom