30/11/2025
copied it and pasted here for later
NEVER-FAIL OLD FASHIONED FRUIT CAKE
INGREDIENTS
Dry & Spices
• All-purpose flour — 1½ cups (190g)
• Baking powder — 1 tsp (4g)
• Ground cinnamon — 1 tsp (3g)
• Ground nutmeg — ½ tsp (2g)
• Ground cloves — ¼ tsp (1g)
• Salt — ¼ tsp (1g)
Fruits (soaked for 30 minutes or overnight)
• Mixed dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, mixed peel) —
2½ cups (400g)
• Orange juice or apple juice — ½ cup (120ml)
(or soak in rum/brandy for extra richness)
Wet Ingredients
• Unsalted butter (softened) — ¾ cup (170g)
• Brown sugar — ¾ cup (150g)
• Eggs — 3 large
• Vanilla extract — 1½ tsp (7ml)
• Molasses or dark honey — 1 tbsp (20g) (optional but gives deep color)
Nuts (optional but traditional)
• Chopped walnuts or almonds — ½ cup (60g)
INSTRUCTIONS
Line the baking pan with parchment and lightly grease it.
Preheat the oven to 150°C.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
Drain the soaked fruits and keep 2–3 tablespoons of the soaking liquid for the batter.
Cream the butter and brown sugar until fluffy and pale.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and molasses.
Fold in the dry ingredients gently, then mix in the soaked fruits, nuts, and the reserved soaking liquid until the batter is thick and well combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and tap gently to remove air bubbles.
Bake slowly until the cake is firm in the center and a skewer comes out clean.
Cool completely in the pan, then turn out and wrap tightly in foil.
For the best flavor, rest the cake for a day before slicing.