Never Fail Fruit Cake (Old-Fashioned Style)
Experience the classic charm of our Never Fail Fruit Cake (Old-Fashioned Style), a rich, moist cake packed with mixed dried fruits and nuts, infused with warm spices and a hint of brandy or rum. Perfect for festive occasions and loved for its timeless flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits & Nuts
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy or rum
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preparation of Ingredients: Assemble all ingredients on a clean workspace. Measure and chop dried fruits and nuts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution in the cake.
- Soften Butter: Leave the unsalted butter at room temperature until soft to facilitate creaming with sugar.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) for optimal baking temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This step is vital for the cake’s texture.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the orange juice, mixing gently to incorporate without overmixing.
- Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold the chopped mixed dried fruits and nuts into the batter until evenly distributed throughout.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor and moisture, soak the mixed dried fruits overnight in warm water or rum before using.
- Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes, to achieve the best texture in the cake.