Fruitcake is a dessert that people love to hate. Even though it is a traditional dessert that shows up every year around the holiday season, many people profess that it’s a horrible dessert. Regardless of whether a person loves or hates it, they can voice their opinion on National Fruitcake Day—a holiday that occurs every year on December 27th.

The History of Fruitcake

Fruitcake is a dessert that goes back not just hundreds of years but thousands of years. The first fruitcake recipe was discovered by historians, and it dates back over 2,000 years to Ancient Rome.

This first Roman fruitcake was made with raisins, pine nuts, and pomegranate seeds that were mixed into a cake composed of a dough made from barley mash. Doesn’t sound exactly appetizing, does it?

During the Middle Ages, great improvements were made to the Roman fruitcake recipe, and bakers began making cakes with dried fruits, spices, and honey. During the 18th century, many places in Europe banned the use of butter and sugar in fruitcakes—as they were thought to be too rich and decadent.

Fortunately, that changed over the next 100 years, and fruitcakes became a traditional wedding cake in England from the 19th century onward. Nowadays, fruitcake is a confection that’s enjoyed all over the world, but most of these fruitcakes differ greatly from one another.

Fruitcakes in the U.S. have become a ridiculed dish among Americans and are usually made with fruits and nuts. In other countries around the world, fruitcakes are made with everything from fruits and nuts to sweet custards, sponge cake, gelatin, and even graham crackers.

Fun Facts About Fruitcakes

Below are some facts that people might not know about fruitcakes. Facts that some people might find entertaining or, in some cases, horrifying.

Fruitcakes Can Have a Long Shelf Life

Although not all fruitcakes are the same and some of them have shorter lifespans than others, for the most part, fruitcakes have an extremely long shelf life. In fact, some fruitcakes that are made with alcohol and the right preservatives can last up to 25 years.

Fruitcake Was Sent to Space

During the Apollo 11 mission, pineapple fruitcake was sent up with Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong to enjoy as a treat. They didn’t feel like eating the fruitcake before they walked on the moon, so it ended up being returned to Earth. That fruitcake is now on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Hmm, we wonder if that fruitcake is still edible after all this time.

How to Celebrate National Fruitcake Day

National Fruitcake Day can be celebrated by going out and buying a fruitcake and enjoying it with your family. Or, if you received a fruitcake for the holiday season, then you can always eat that on this holiday. You can also proclaim your love (or your hate) for this dessert by posting on social media using the hashtag #NationalFruitcakeDay.