Who says all your side dishes need to be savory? This traditional southern Hot Baked Curried Fruit recipe features a mix of canned fruits topped with a rich butter, brown sugar, and curry mixture that’s baked into sweet, fruity perfection. It’s a great classic side dish for either Thanksgiving or Christmas.
If you’re planning your holiday dinner and need another idea for a side dish, I’m here to help! At first glance, you may think that this recipe is a dessert, but it’s traditional in the South to serve this Hot Baked Curried Fruit as a side dish with turkey or ham.
The contrast of a little sweet along with the savory is a very Southern thing. We do love our “sweet and salt” in the South – biscuits with a slice of ham and peach preserves, cream cheese with sweet-hot pepper jelly, curried baked fruit with a perfect Roast Turkey and Southern Cornbread Dressing. Yum.
This is a fall and winter recipe that uses readily available canned fruits along with butter, brown sugar, and curry powder. When it’s cooking, the fragrance will fill your home with a beautiful holiday scent!
— This post was originally published on November 17, 2010. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: Southern Vintage
Cooking Method: Oven/Stovetop
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Servings: 8
Primary Ingredient(s): Canned pineapple chunks, canned pear halves, canned peach halves, canned apricot halves, maraschino cherries, brown sugar, curry powder, butter
Skill Level: Easy
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’m the third generation that has made this recipe for the holidays. To me it smells like Christmas. My grandmother added … a touch of white wine.“
— Beth
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- It’s the perfect side dish for holiday dinners and adds a touch of sweetness to a buffet loaded with savory food.
- Super easy to make! 10 minutes of prep (and most of that is opening cans).
- Curry adds a warm, aromatic note to the fruit and enhances its natural sweetness.
Ingredient Notes
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- Various Canned Fruits — These are ordinary, easily sourced canned fruits available at any grocery store.
- Maraschino Cherries — Optional but highly recommended.
- Curry Powder — I recommend only McCormick brand curry powder for this recipe. This was the most widely available brand in rural America during the time period when this recipe originated (following World War II), so it’s important for the authentic flavor of the original dish.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see this recipe on page 141 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
How to Make Baked Fruit
Before You Begin
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Before you start the recipe, be sure to drain all the fruit very well. I usually place mine in a colander in the sink and let it sit for 20 minutes or so.
Layer the Fruit and Make the Sauce
- Layer the drained fruits in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, curry powder, and butter. Heat until the butter and sugar are completely melted.
Combine Fruit with Curry Mixture
- Pour the butter, sugar, and curry mixture over the fruit. Mix lightly taking care not to break the fruit.
Bake the Fruit
- Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure the fruit is very well drained; otherwise, the finished recipe will be watery.
- Canned apricots are sometimes more difficult to source than the other fruits. If you can’t find them, you can increase the other fruits to compensate.
- This recipe is a wonderful accompaniment for almost any poultry or pork recipe. I’ve served it with marinated pork loin, roast chicken, and even with fried quail.
How to Prep Curried Baked Fruit in Advance
Drain the fruit well and store it in a closed container in the fridge. Prepare the butter-sugar-curry mixture and store it in a separate container in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove the fruit from the oven and let it come to room temperature. Reheat the butter mixture either in the microwave or on the stove. Add the fruit to a baking dish, pour over the butter and spice mixture, and bake.
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended as the fruit will become mushy when thawed.
Questions About Curried Baked Fruit
As I’ve said above, I only recommend McCormick’s curry powder for this recipe. I have no idea what’s in other brands, how mild or spicy they may be, or how their taste might alter your outcome with the recipe. McCormick’s is available everywhere.
Hot Baked Curried Fruit is not the least bit spicy. The hot just means it’s hot from the oven. The curry powder used in this recipe is not spicy at all.
I suppose you could use fresh fruit in this recipe if you like. However, I don’t recommend it. Besides taking much longer to prep (you’d have to peel, core, pit, and chop all that fresh fruit), it would cost quite a bit more than using the canned counterparts.
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Recipe
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Hot Baked Curried Fruit
Ingredients
- 30 ounces canned pineapple chunks drained
- 15 ounces canned pear halves drained
- 15 ounces canned peach halves drained
- 15 ounces canned apricot halves drained
- 10 ounces maraschino cherries drained
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon curry powder (McCormick brand)
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Allow all the fruits to drain very well in a colander.
- Layer the fruits in a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, curry powder and butter. Heat until the butter and sugar are completely melted.
- Pour over fruit and mix lightly taking care not to break the fruit.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.
Notes
- Make sure the fruit is very well drained otherwise the finished recipe will be watery and take care to break the fruit as little as possible when tossing with the butter mixture.
- Leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
If you’re looking for a lovely fruit salad that’s more fresh than cooked, try this Honey Lime Fruit Salad from Carolina Honeybees!
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
I love this recipe but need an opinion. Do you think I could substitute fresh cranberries for the marischino cherries? The cherries are so ,so, sweet and the cranberries( maybe cooked down a bit) would add color.
I’ve never tried the recipe with cranberries, but I imagine they would work. You can always just leave out the cherries and not replace them with anything at all.
My mother in law made this recipe every Christmas and my husband loves it. Can I make and bake it same day and reheat later for dinner?
Yes, it can be reheated.
I made this years ago from a booklet that came with a new microwave. I am also lost that booklet afterwards. i am very happy to have this recipe again!
Now I am wondering if it could be made in a crock pot?
I’ve never tested it in a crockpot.
My family loves this!
Mine does, too! It’s always part of our Thanksgiving dinner.
Can I make the recipe ahead of time. Have all the fruit ready and kept in the fridge. When ready add the rest of the ingredients and heat?
Yes, you can. I drain the fruit well and store it in the fridge in a closed container. Prepare the butter-sugar-curry mixture and store it seperately. When ready to bake, remove the fruit from the oven and let it come to room temperature. Reheat the butter mixture either in the microwave or on the stove, pour it over the fruit and bake.
Love this dish. Can this be made on the stove-top or in a microwave? My oven is currently broken, but wanted to make this. Thanks!
Definitely not on the stove top. On the stove, you’d need to stir it frequently which would break up all the fruit in a mush. I’ve never tried it in a microwave so don’t have times for you.
Okay. Thank you!
I’m the third generation that has made this recipe for the holidays. To me it smells like Christmas. My grandmother added minute tapioca to the bottom of the pan so you don’t have to drain your fruit as much, plus she added a touch of white wine.
It does smell like the holidays, doesn’t it!
Can you drain fruit the night before and mix together and bake the next morning? Fixing for a brunch.
Yes, of course, that will work fine.
One of my most favorite side dishes and been making this for over 25 years.. delicious with great flavor ! love you can adjust what fruit you can use… My original recipe didn’t call for cherries… it’s optional !! A great bring along dish !!
I agree! Such a great recipe. My mother has been making this for at least 50 years, probably more. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for us.
The baked fruit also compliments a baked ham, or many chicken dishes. Love the colorfulness of your photo. And, you are so right about that luscious aroma throughout the house – one of those “love you” smell memories.
Miss P
This is wonderful for a potluck or church gathering. It goes with just about everything. And if you have leftovers, try warming it slightly & serve along pound cake.
Hello,
Can this be done the same way with fresh fruit?? Thank you. :)
I’ve never tried it with fresh fruit, but I would think it would work. Give it a try and let me know how it works out.
I am a fan of Lindsay olives on FB
My favorite Thanksgiving dish ever is Cornbread Dressing.