How To Make Fruit Cake

mixed dried fruit

🥗Healthier: fresh fruit

💰Cheaper: raisins

Fresh fruit can reduce sugar content while raisins are more affordable.

candied peel

🥗Healthier: dried fruit

💰Cheaper: zest

Dried fruit offers a similar texture with less sugar.

brandy

🥗Healthier: apple juice

💰Cheaper: water

Apple juice adds moisture without alcohol.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil can lower saturated fat content.

Soak the fruit: Mix together 800 g of mixed dried fruit, 100 g of chopped mixed peel, and 150 g of glace cherries. Pour over 250 ml of orange liqueur and leave it to soak overnight.

Preheat the oven: The next day, heat your oven to 150°C (300°F or gas mark 2). Grease a 20 cm round cake tin and line the bottom and sides with baking parchment.

Flour mixture: Sift together 225 g of plain flour with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Butter mixture: Cream 200 g of butter and 200 g of dark brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Then mix in 2 tbsp of black treacle, 1 tbsp of marmalade, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla essence until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs: Beat 4 eggs and add them to the mixture a little at a time, adding a tablespoon of flour with the last of the eggs.

Add flour mixture: Fold in the remaining flour mixture until well mixed, then mix in the soaked fruit mixture and 100 g of chopped almonds.

Bake: Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and make a slight hollow in the center. Bake in the oven for 3 hours, then test with a skewer. If the skewer comes out clean, it's ready; if not, bake for up to another hour, testing every 20 minutes until the skewer comes out clean.

Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool in the tin for 15 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire rack and leave it to cool completely.

Soak: Once cool, make a few holes in the cake with a skewer and pour over 3 to 4 tablespoons of orange liqueur. Let it soak into the cake, then wrap it in foil and store it in an airtight tin or plastic container with the holes facing upwards.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens