This is the classic, old-school fruit cake that always works—moist, rich, packed with fruit, and perfectly spiced. No dryness, no sinking fruit, no disappointment. Just like Grandma used to make.
🥣 Ingredients
Fruit Mix
- 1½ cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, chopped dates)
- ½ cup candied cherries, chopped
- ½ cup candied pineapple, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Cake Batter
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk or orange juice
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit (Never-Fail Trick)
- Place all dried and candied fruit in a bowl.
- Toss with 2 tbsp flour from the measured flour.
✔ This keeps fruit from sinking.
Step 2: Preheat & Prep Pan
- Preheat oven to 160°C / 325°F
- Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl.
Step 4: Cream Butter & Sugar
- Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
- Mix in vanilla.
Step 5: Make the Batter
- Add dry ingredients alternately with milk (or juice).
- Mix just until combined.
- Fold in the floured fruit and nuts gently.
Step 6: Bake Low & Slow
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Smooth the top.
- Bake 75–90 minutes.
- Tent loosely with foil if top browns too fast.
✔ Toothpick should come out mostly clean.
Step 7: Cool & Rest
- Cool in pan 15 minutes.
- Transfer to rack to cool completely.
- Flavor improves after 24 hours.
⭐ Old-Fashioned Success Tips
- Bake low and slow—don’t rush it
- Brown sugar keeps it moist
- Resting time = better flavor
- Wrap and store for richer taste over days
❄️ Storage (Just Like Grandma Did)
- Wrapped tightly at room temp: 1 week
- Refrigerated: 2–3 weeks
- Freezer: up to 3 months
🔄 Variations
- 🍊 Use orange juice instead of milk
- 🥃 Add 2 tbsp rum or brandy (optional)
- 🌰 Extra nutty? Double the nuts
If you want, I can also give you:
- 🎄 Christmas fruit cake
- 🍞 Boiled fruit cake (ultra moist)
- 🧁 Fruit cake muffins
Just tell me 😊