Trail Food - Gorp, energy bars, ...fruitcake?

[RememberSchiff 3663]

Jack Haskel works for the Pacific Crest Trail. He's part of a growing number of hikers who prefer to have fruitcakes as a seasonal break from protein and granola bars. "It's not the energy bar, it's not some goop. It's real food, not hiking food," he said.

"You've got a perfect food for a hiker that's trying to go the distance," said Brenda Braaten, a nutritionist who discovered that fruitcake could be more than just a doorstop.

"You're close to the same calories per gram in a fruitcake compared to a Snickers bar or a trail bar, but you're miles ahead on iron, magnesium, calcium," she said. "The mineral content is higher."

From CBS Sunday Morning:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fruitcake-the-classic-festive-christmas-dessert-is-the-perfect-energy-food/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/finally-a-use-for-that-leftover-holiday-fruitcake-exercise-fuel-1514474908

[DuctTape 1230]

Yea. This topic gets discussed this time of year somewhat regularly on the backpacking forums. Old school is Logan Bread.

[RememberSchiff 3663]

As it is, I carry many of  fruitcake ingredients  - dried fruits, nuts,. I  usually stay away from breads, cakes...bloat-food  for me . 

[MattR 2659]

In my defense, my grandmother used to make fruit cake. It was horrible. Most likely because she had a cast iron pan that, in hindsight, was rancid.

I vow to try making one next year.