Description
A traditional fruit cake recipe that’s rich, moist, and packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Glazed with orange syrup for the perfect holiday dessert.
Ingredients
¾ cups (170 g) unsalted butter
¾ cups (150 g) soft brown sugar
2 cups (350 g) dried fruits (sultanas, raisins, currants, glacé cherries, citrus peel)
½ cup (100 g) chopped dates
⅔ cups (166 g) sweetened orange juice
1½ tbsp orange zest
2 tbsp (36 g) molasses
1¾ cups (210 g) all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
¼ cup (52 g) vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 cup (100 g) walnuts (halved)
— Orange Syrup —
3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1¾ tbsp white sugar
Instructions
1. Add butter, brown sugar, dried fruits, chopped dates, orange juice, zest, and molasses to a saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let simmer for a few minutes, then cool to room temperature.
3. Preheat oven to 140°C (285°F) fan. Grease and line an 8×3 inch cake tin.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl.
5. In another bowl, whisk together oil and eggs.
6. Combine cooled fruit mixture with egg-oil mixture. Fold until combined.
7. Add in walnuts and any remaining dates. Fold again.
8. Gently fold in sifted dry ingredients until no flour streaks remain.
9. Pour into prepared cake tin. Tap to release air bubbles.
10. Bake for 75–85 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
11. Cool in tin for 30 minutes. Then remove and cool on a wire rack.
12. Mix orange juice and sugar for syrup. Heat until sugar dissolves.
13. Brush syrup over warm cake. Wrap in foil and store in airtight container.
14. Let sit for 48 hours before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use high-quality dried fruit mix for best results.
If using firm dates, include them in the boiling step to soften.
Let the boiled fruit mixture cool fully before mixing to avoid scrambling the eggs.
Resting the cake for 48 hours improves texture and flavor significantly.
Store wrapped in foil in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. Can be frozen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Cakes Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Traditional