Ultimate Guide to Baking a Delicious Fruit Cake: Easy Recipe Included

6 min readDec 1, 2023

Fruit cake is a type of cake made with chopped candied or dried fruits, nuts, and flavors. Fruit cakes are popular during festive seasons like Christmas and weddings. They have a dense texture and can be served plain or with a layer of marzipan or icing on top.

Celebrate every occasion with a delectable homemade fruit cake using our easy to follow recipe at home easily. This cake is undoubtedly more “mature” and is usually connected to Christmas festivities and all.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

1 cup chopped dried fruits (such as raisins, cranberries, cherries, apricots)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup rum or brandy (optional)

Instructions

1/ Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2/ In a bowl, mix together the chopped dried fruits and nuts. If you’re using rum or brandy, pour it over the fruit and nut mixture, allowing it to soak while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

3/ In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

4/ Add the eggs, one at a time, to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.

5/ In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

6/ Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.

7/ Fold in the soaked dried fruits and nuts into the batter until evenly distributed.

8/ Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.

9/ Bake in the preheated oven for about 60–70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

10/ Once baked, remove the fruit cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

11/ Once cooled you can store the fruit cake in an airtight container. For enhanced flavor, you can wrap it in parchment paper and foil and let it sit for a few days before serving.

Enjoy your homemade cake!

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Some Tips and Tricks for Making a Delicious Fruit Cake

Soaking the fruits: To enhance the flavor, soak the chopped dried fruits in rum, brandy, or fruit juice a day or more before baking. This allows the fruits to absorb the liquid and become plump and flavorful.

Use quality ingredients: Opt for high-quality dried fruits, nuts, and spices for better taste and texture in your fruit cake.

Proper mixing: When combining the ingredients, avoid overmixing the batter. Gently fold in the fruits and nuts to ensure even distribution without deflating the batter.

Even baking: Fruit cakes can be dense, so ensure even baking by lining the baking pan with parchment paper or greasing it well to prevent sticking. Consider using a lower oven temperature for longer baking times to avoid burning the outside while the center remains uncooked.

Prevent burning: Cover the top of the cake with foil halfway through baking if it’s browning too quickly. This helps prevent the top from burning while allowing the center to continue baking.

Cooling and storing: Once baked, let the fruit cake cool completely before slicing. To store, wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store it in an airtight container. Fruit cakes tend to improve with time, so allowing it to sit for a few days or even weeks can enhance the flavors.

Adding extra flavor: If desired, brush the cooled fruit cake with additional rum or brandy before storing to add an extra layer of moisture and flavor.

Slicing and serving: Use a sharp knife to slice the fruit cake thinly, as it can be quite rich. Enjoy it plain or with a dollop of whipped cream or a slice of cheese for a delightful treat.

Nutrition Facts

The nutritional information for fruit cake can vary based on the specific ingredients used in the recipe. However, here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for a typical serving (around 1 slice or 80 grams) of cake.

Calories: Around 240–300 calories
Total Fat: Approximately 8–12 grams
Saturated Fat: Around 3–5 grams
Cholesterol: Roughly 20–40 milligrams
Sodium: About 100–200 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates: Approximately 35–45 grams
Dietary Fiber: Roughly 1–3 grams
Sugars: Around 20–25 grams
Protein: Approximately 3–5 grams

Please note that these values are estimations and can vary significantly based on the specific ingredients and proportions used in the cake recipe.

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is fruit cake?

Fruit cake is a dense cake made with chopped candied or dried fruits, nuts, spices, and sometimes soaked in spirits like rum or brandy. It’s often associated with holidays and celebrations.

How long does cake last?

Fruit cake has a long shelf life due to its high sugar and alcohol content. When stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, it can last for several weeks to months.

Can fruit cake be frozen?

Yes, fruit cake freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for several months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.

What fruits can be used in a fruit cake?

Common fruits used in fruit cake include raisins, currants, chopped dates, candied cherries, candied peel, dried cranberries, and apricots. You can customize the mix of fruits to your preference.

Can I make a fruit cake without alcohol?

Yes, you can substitute alcohol with fruit juice or flavored syrups to soak the fruits. Alternatively, you can skip the soaking process altogether and still make a delicious fruit cake.

How do I prevent a fruit cake from becoming dry?

To prevent a fruit cake from drying out, ensure not to overbake it. Additionally, you can wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap and foil to retain moisture.

Is fruit cake healthy?

Fruit cake can be high in sugar and calories due to the dried fruits and sometimes added sugars. It’s best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat.

Can I make a fruit cake in advance?

Yes, this cakes often improve with age as the flavors meld together. Making it in advance and allowing it to mature for a few days to weeks can enhance its taste.

Remember the specific recipe and ingredients used can affect the characteristics and taste of the cake.