Jim Hadfield, a resident of Milestone, Saskatchewan, has turned his passion for fruitcake into a social media sensation with over 37,000 followers. The 74-year-old dedicated months to baking 724 Christmas fruitcakes, a solo effort that he proudly completed recently. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with his output growing from 276 fruitcakes in 2023 to over 400 in the previous year.
Reflecting on his journey, Hadfield shared that his venture began about six years ago out of curiosity about the fruitcake’s popularity. Initially receiving 28 orders after a Facebook post, demand has steadily risen since then. Living in Milestone, Hadfield manages all aspects of his baking business, from taking orders, purchasing ingredients, baking, to hand-delivering cakes primarily in Regina but also shipping across Canada.
Orders for this year’s batch closed on June 15, with Hadfield attributing his cakes’ distinctive flavor to frequent basting with rum or Grand Marnier. Following his mother’s recipe with personal modifications, he emphasized the importance of this process for the cakes’ taste. Customers have expressed that their holiday season is incomplete without one of his creations, often ordering in advance due to high demand.
The extensive preparation for this year’s production included using 2,000 feet of foil, over 325 pounds of butter, more than 1,800 eggs, and exceeding 2,000 pounds of fruits and nuts. Hadfield dedicated over 300 hours to preparation and an additional 2,250 hours for baking, working on ten cakes simultaneously in two ovens for efficiency.
While renowned for his Christmas fruitcakes, Hadfield’s baking journey began fifteen years ago post-retirement, offering a variety of baked goods. Despite the intensive process, he remains committed to meeting the demand as long as his health permits, emphasizing his unique dedication to producing 724 fruitcakes annually.