Description
Indulge in the rich aroma of spices and plump fruits with this Classic Never Fail Fruit Cake. This old-fashioned style fruit cake blends tradition and flavor beautifully, making it perfect for celebrations and festive occasions. Packed with mixed dried fruits and nuts, infused with warm spices and a hint of brandy or rum, each slice promises a moist, flavorful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Nuts
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy or rum
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Assemble all ingredients on a clean workspace. Measure and chop dried fruits and nuts into bite-sized pieces for even distribution throughout the cake.
- Soften Butter: Allow the unsalted butter to soften at room temperature to ensure it creams easily with the sugar.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to prepare for baking the fruit cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. This step helps achieve a tender texture.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until smooth and well incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating with orange juice. Begin and end with the dry ingredients to maintain the batter’s consistency.
- Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the chopped dried fruits and nuts to the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Prepare Pan: Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow easy removal of the cake.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor and moisture, soak the dried fruits overnight in warm water or rum before using.
- Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly, about 5 minutes, to create a light, fluffy texture for the cake.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges on your loaf.
- This cake improves in flavor if wrapped tightly and stored for a few days.