Classic Moist Fruit Cake
This beautiful loaf-style fruit cake is packed with raisins and dried fruit, with a rich golden-brown crust and a wonderfully moist, tender center. It’s perfect with tea or coffee and makes a lovely holiday or weekend treat.
🧈 Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped dates
- ½ cup mixed dried fruit
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp milk, if needed
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Combine the raisins, dates, mixed dried fruit, orange juice, and orange zest. Let sit for 20–30 minutes.
- Prepare the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy.
- Add eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients. Fold in the soaked fruit and nuts. If the batter seems very thick, add a little milk.
- Bake: Transfer to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake rest in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice once cooled and serve with tea, coffee, or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
💡 Pro Tips
- Soaking the dried fruit first keeps the cake especially moist.
- Don’t overmix after adding the flour.
- For a deeper flavor, soak the fruit overnight in orange juice.
- Wrap the cooled cake tightly and let it rest overnight—the flavor becomes even better the next day.
🍽️ Description
A classic homemade fruit cake loaded with juicy raisins, sweet dried fruit, warm spices, and crunchy nuts. Moist, rich, and wonderfully fragrant, this old-fashioned cake is an easy favorite for holidays, afternoon tea, or whenever you’re craving a comforting homemade dessert.
