Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of a traditional Homemade Fruit Cake. Packed with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, this moist and aromatic cake is perfect for holiday celebrations or a special treat any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, chopped dates, dried cherries)
- 1 cup chopped candied citrus peel
- 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- optional: ¼ cup dark rum or brandy for soaking
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with orange juice and molasses. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add fruits and nuts: Fold in dried fruits, candied peel, and nuts.
- Bake: Pour batter into the pan and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Cool in the pan, then transfer to a rack. Optionally, brush with rum or brandy before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the dried fruits overnight in orange juice or rum enhances the flavor.
- For best taste, allow the cake to rest for at least 24 hours before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
