Description
Indulge in the festive cheer with our Best Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe, a delightful blend of rich flavors and a moist texture that captures the essence of holiday gatherings. This cake, filled with a medley of dried fruits and warming spices, is not only perfect for sharing with family and friends but also makes a thoughtful homemade gift. Its versatility means it can shine at any celebration, from Christmas to birthdays. Easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, this fruit cake is sure to become a cherished tradition in your home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup (175g) unsalted butter, chopped
- 1 packed cup (210g) light brown muscovado sugar
- 2 + 2/3 cups (400g) mixed dried fruit
- 1 cup (100g) dried cranberries
- 1 cup (200g) glacé cherries, roughly chopped
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup (120ml) cherry apple juice
- 1/2 cup (85g) ground almonds, coarsely ground
- 3 large eggs, lightly whisked
- 1 + 2/3 cup (200g) plain/all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- Cherry apple juice (1-2 tbsp per week for feeding)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C). Grease your loaf pan or round cake tin with butter or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped unsalted butter and light brown muscovado sugar. Using a wooden spoon, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Mix in the mixed dried fruits, glacé cherries, dried cranberries, orange zest, lemon zest, and cherry apple juice into the creamed butter-sugar mixture until well combined.
- Add the lightly whisked eggs into your mixture gradually. In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, baking powder, ground mixed spice, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice. Fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture gently until just combined.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 105 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once cooled, feed your fruit cake with cherry apple juice weekly to enhance its flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 105 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 70g)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Customize your fruit choices by swapping in your favorites like apricots or raisins. Ensure you allow the cake to cool completely before slicing for optimal flavor.