A delightful homemade fruit cake packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas)
1 cup chopped dried cherries or cranberries
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots (optional)
1/2 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup dark rum or brandy (optional, for soaking)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
1/2 cup candied ginger (optional)
Directions
Soak the Dried Fruit: In a medium bowl, combine all the dried fruits and pour over the orange juice and rum (if using). Stir to combine, then cover and let soak for 2-4 hours, or overnight.
Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Pan: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease and line a cake pan.
Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with soaked fruit.
Bake the Fruit Cake: Pour batter into the pan and bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Serve & Enjoy: Slice and serve on its own or with icing or whipped cream. Enjoy with a warm cup of tea or coffee.
How to Serve
Homemade Fruit Cake is delicious on its own, but you can add a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of icing, or a dollop of whipped cream for extra flavor. It pairs perfectly with a warm cup of tea or coffee.
Tips
Soaking the dried fruits enhances their flavor and moisture.
Feel free to experiment with different nuts or dried fruits according to your tastes!
If you do not want alcohol, just skip the rum and use orange juice for soaking the fruits.
Variation
You can make a lighter version by using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also add more spices according to your preference, like cardamom or ginger.