Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: ¾ cup (room temperature)
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup
- Eggs: 3 large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Orange Zest: From 1 orange
- Milk: ½ cup
- Mixed Dried Fruits: 2 cups (raisins, chopped apricots, cranberries)
- Chopped Nuts: 1 cup (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a loaf or round cake pan with parchment and lightly grease the sides.
- Combine Ingredients: In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and orange zest.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Line the pan snugly with parchment, leaving overhang, and grease the exposed areas.
- Assemble the Dish: Add dry ingredients to the wet mix until just combined. Stir in milk, then fold in dried fruits and nuts.
- Cook to Perfection: Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and bake 60–70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Finishing Touches: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or glaze.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice and serve plain, toasted, or with a topping of your choice.
Notes
- Soak dried fruits in juice or tea for extra moisture.
- Toss fruits in flour to prevent sinking.
- Wrap well and let rest overnight for better flavor.
- Great toasted with butter or used in trifles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: fruit cake, holiday dessert, classic fruit cake, dried fruit cake, easy fruit cake