Christmas Fruit Cake

 

 

 Ingredients  

 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped dates, cherries, cranberries)  

 1⁄4 cup (60ml) orange juice or rum/brandy  

 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour  

 1⁄2 tsp baking powder  

 1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon  

 1⁄4 tsp ground nutmeg  

 1⁄4 tsp ground cloves  

 Pinch of salt  

 1⁄2 cup (100g) brown sugar  

 1⁄2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened  

 2 large eggs  

 1 tsp vanilla extract  

 Zest of 1 orange or lemon (optional)  

 2 tbsp (30ml) milk  

 1⁄4 cup (30g) chopped nuts (optional)  

 1 tbsp molasses or honey (optional)  

 

 Directions  

 First, let your dried fruits soak up all the delicious flavors by combining them with the orange juice or rum in a bowl. Leave them to mingle for at least 4 hours, or even overnight if you have time.

 

 When you're ready to bake, set your oven to a gentle 150°C (300°F). Line or grease your favorite cake pan to keep everything from sticking.

 

 In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt. This keeps things light and ensures those lovely spices are spread evenly throughout the cake.

 

 In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until pale and fluffy—it’s worth taking a few minutes for this. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, zest, and molasses or honey if you’re using them.

 

 Now, gently combine your wet and dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two batches, alternating with the milk. Be careful not to overmix; just until everything comes together.

 

 Fold in the soaked fruits (including any extra juice or rum) and the chopped nuts if you like a little crunch in every bite.

 

 Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

 

 Let the cake cool completely in the pan to keep it moist. If you want your cake extra rich, brush it with a little more rum or orange juice once a week until you’re ready to serve. This lets the flavors deepen and makes every slice even more special.

 

 Enjoy a slice with your loved ones and cozy up together for a truly festive treat.