This homemade fruit cake is wonderfully moist, filled with colorful candied fruits, sweet dates, juicy raisins, and crunchy nuts. A blend of warm spices and brown sugar gives it a deep, comforting flavor, while soaking the dried fruits adds extra richness.
Whether you are preparing it for Christmas dinner or giving it as a homemade gift, this fruit cake is a beautiful addition to any festive table.
Ingredients
For the Fruit Mixture
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1 cup chopped dates
- 1 cup mixed candied fruits (red, green, and yellow)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts, such as almonds, cashews, or walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup dark rum, brandy, or fruit juice
For the Cake Batter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons molasses or honey, optional
For the Topping (Optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
- 2 tablespoons warm apricot jam for glazing
- A few extra candied fruits for decoration
Instructions
See more on the next page
