Key Takeaways
- Fruitcake is a classic holiday confection that has been declining in popularity in recent decades
- Despite this, over 2 million fruitcakes are sold in the United States each year, with a significant portion coming from Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas
- Collin Street Bakery has been in the fruitcake business for over 125 years and attributes its success to the use of high-quality ingredients
- The bakery’s fruitcakes feature Texas pecans, pineapple, raisins, and cherries blended into a batter, hand-decorated and baked
- Collin Street Bakery has delivered fruitcakes to celebrities, politicians, and has even made a cameo in the 1972 classic film "The Godfather"
Introduction to Fruitcake
Fruitcake is a classic holiday confection that has been a part of many celebrations for centuries. However, in recent decades, it has been showing up less often on dessert tables. This may be due in part to Johnny Carson’s declaration that "the worst gift is a fruitcake" and that "there is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other." Despite this, fruitcake has been a part of many historic events, including Princess Diana and King Charles’ wedding and a trip to the moon on Apollo 11.
The History of Collin Street Bakery
Collin Street Bakery, located in Corsicana, Texas, has been in the fruitcake business for over 125 years. The bakery has been family-owned and operated for three generations and has developed a reputation for producing high-quality fruitcakes. According to Thomas McNutt, a third-generation owner at the bakery, the key to their success is the use of high-quality ingredients. Each Collin Street fruitcake features Texas pecans, pineapple, raisins, and cherries blended into a batter, hand-decorated and baked. The bakery’s commitment to quality has earned it a loyal customer base and has even led to collaborations with celebrities and politicians.
The Decline of Fruitcake
Despite the success of Collin Street Bakery, fruitcake as a whole has been declining in popularity in recent decades. However, the bakery’s owners, the McNutts, believe that this trend is reversing. They attribute this to a newfound appreciation for tradition, family, and gathering. According to Bob McNutt, another family owner, "everyone from grandma and grandpa to the grandkids, a lot of people like to sit down and love to taste fruitcake at Christmas." The bakery’s fruitcakes have become a part of many family traditions, and the McNutts believe that this is due to the nostalgia and comfort that they evoke.
The Quality of Collin Street Bakery’s Fruitcakes
Collin Street Bakery’s fruitcakes are made with the finest ingredients, and the bakery’s owners are confident in their quality. According to Thomas McNutt, "if every American had Collin Street Bakery’s fruitcake at Christmas, then today every household would have a fruitcake still at Christmas, because ours is very different." The bakery’s fruitcakes are hand-decorated and baked, and each one features a unique blend of ingredients. The McNutts believe that the quality of their fruitcakes is unparalleled and that this is what sets them apart from other bakeries.
The Popularity of Collin Street Bakery’s Fruitcakes
Collin Street Bakery’s fruitcakes have become a staple of many holiday celebrations. The bakery delivers fruitcakes to customers all over the world, including celebrities and politicians. In fact, the bakery’s fruitcakes have even made a cameo in the 1972 classic film "The Godfather." The bakery’s owners are proud of their product and are confident that it will continue to be a part of many family traditions for years to come. According to Thomas McNutt, "we think that there’s a new kind of a refound appreciation of tradition, of family, of gathering and celebrating, and so fruitcake just fits perfectly in that."
Conclusion
In conclusion, fruitcake is a classic holiday confection that has been declining in popularity in recent decades. However, Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas, has been in the fruitcake business for over 125 years and attributes its success to the use of high-quality ingredients. The bakery’s fruitcakes feature Texas pecans, pineapple, raisins, and cherries blended into a batter, hand-decorated and baked. With its commitment to quality and tradition, Collin Street Bakery’s fruitcakes have become a staple of many holiday celebrations, and the bakery’s owners are confident that they will continue to be a part of many family traditions for years to come.
