Classic Fruit Cake
It’s not the holidays without a fruit cake! Moist spice cake is packed with citrus, candied fruit, nuts, and a kick of brandy. Keep for yourself to serve as part of a dessert spread, or make several and pack into tins to gift to friends and family.
Tasty Team
Total Time
3 hr 30 min
3 hr 30 min
Prep Time
30 minutes
30 min
Cook Time
3 hr
3 hr
Total Time
3 hr 30 min
3 hr 30 min
Prep Time
30 minutes
30 min
Cook Time
3 hr
3 hr
Ingredients
for 6 servings
- neutral oil, or unsalted butter for greasing
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g), sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground mace
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter (230 g)
- 2 cups brown sugar (400 g)
- 6 large eggs
- ½ cup molasses (120 mL)
- 1 orange, zested
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ cup brandy (120 mL)
- 2 ½ cups diced candied fruit (350 g), such as citron, pineapple, cherries, orange peel, and lemon peel
- 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (125 g)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (125 g)
- 1 ½ cups chopped dates (260 g)
- 1 ½ cups dried currant (225 g)
- 1 ½ cups golden raisin (235 g)
For Garnish
- ¼ cup apricot preserves (40 g)
- candied cherry
- candied orange or lemon peel
- whole pecan
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a tube pan generously with oil and line the bottom with parchment paper
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. Whisk to distribute the spices evenly.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, 3–5 minutes.
- With the mixer running on low speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, thoroughly mixing between each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the molasses, orange zest and juice, and lemon zest and juice. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- With the mixer running on low speed, add one-third of the flour mixture, then one-third of the brandy. Continue alternating additions, mixing just until no dry pockets remain.
- Add the candied fruit, walnuts, pecans, dates, currants, and raisins. Mix on low until evenly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary
- Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan, spreading to fill evenly.
- Bake the fruit cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 2½–3 hours. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a serving platter.
- In a small bowl, stir together the apricot preserves and water to loosen, then brush all over the top of the cake. Arrange candied cherries, candied orange peel, and pecans in a decorative pattern across the top.
- Slice and serve. Leftover cake will keep in a tin or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Enjoy!
- Inspired by: The Joy Of Cooking, 1994
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