Description
This dark fruit cake is deeply rich, moist, and packed with warm spices, soaked dried fruit, and bakery-style flavor that gets even better over time. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or cozy winter baking.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 cups mixed dried fruits
1/2 cup candied peel
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup rum, brandy, or fruit juice
2 tbsp molasses
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk or orange juice
Instructions
1. Combine dried fruits, candied peel, nuts, molasses, and rum or juice in a bowl and let soak for at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and grease a loaf or cake pan.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger together.
4. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk or orange juice into the batter.
7. Fold soaked fruit mixture into batter evenly.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
9. Bake for 75–90 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
10. Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Fruit cake tastes even better the next day.
Wrap tightly overnight for deeper flavor and moisture.
Do not overbake or cake may dry out.
Brush with extra rum or juice for richer flavor if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Holiday / British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg