Description
Warm, buttery, richly spiced fruit cake traditionally enjoyed all holiday season. This cake only gets better as it rests, so it’s perfect for make-ahead gifting and celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants, dried cherries, dried cranberries)
- ½ cup chopped dried apricots or candied peel
- ½ cup dark rum or orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar
- 3 eggs, room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 TBSP molasses or dark treacle (optional but adds depth)
- Extra dark rum, brandy, or strong orange tea (for brushing/aging)
Instructions
- Soak the Fruit (Important for Moistness!): Combine dried fruits, apricots, citrus zest, and rum/orange juice in a bowl. Cover and let soak overnight (or microwave 45 seconds and rest 30 minutes if rushed).
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and all spices. In a mixing bowl, cream butter + brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing fully. Add vanilla + molasses. Fold in the dry ingredients. Add the soaked fruit mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Bake: Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 60–75 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (Fruit cake bakes slow — don’t rush it!)
- Cool & Optional Aging (Traditional Flavor Boost): Let cool completely. Brush top with rum or brandy. Wrap tightly in parchment + foil. Store in fridge 3 days to 3 weeks, brushing weekly with a little more rum. The flavor deepens and becomes magical as it rests.
Notes
- This cake improves in flavor as it ages.
- Brushing with alcohol helps preserve the cake and enhances flavor.
- Can be made weeks in advance for holiday gifting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-75 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American/British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg