Description
A rich, spiced fruit cake soaked in rum or juice, perfect for Christmas, weddings, or Sunday tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, chopped dates)
- ½ cup candied mixed peel (optional)
- ½ cup dark rum, brandy, or orange juice (for soaking)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons molasses or golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup milk
- Warm apricot jam (optional, for glazing)
- Assorted nuts and fruits for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the mixed dried fruits and peel in rum, brandy, or orange juice for at least 8 hours or overnight. Alternatively, simmer gently for 10 minutes and let cool.
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a loaf pan or 8-inch round tin with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add molasses, vanilla extract, orange zest, and lemon zest. Mix to combine.
- Fold in the dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in the soaked fruits along with any remaining soaking liquid.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until a skewer inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Brush with warm apricot jam and decorate with nuts and fruits once cooled.
Notes
Wrap tightly in parchment and foil for storage. Improves in flavor after a few days. Can be refrigerated or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: fruit cake, traditional, British dessert, holiday cake, soaked fruits, Christmas cake