Homemade Fruit Cake
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (115g) melted butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup (120ml) orange juice
- 1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (150g) chopped dried fruits (figs, dates, raisins, cherries)
- ½ cup (75g) chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and line a round or loaf cake pan
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cinnamon
- Salt
3. Cream Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, beat:
- Melted butter + brown sugar until creamy
- Add eggs one at a time
- Mix in orange juice and vanilla
4. Combine Mixtures
- Gradually add dry ingredients into wet mixture
- Stir until just combined
5. Add Fruits & Nuts
- Gently fold in:
- Dried fruits
- Chopped nuts
6. Bake
- Pour batter into the pan
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
7. Cool & Serve
- Let cool completely before removing from pan
- Optional: Top with powdered sugar or a light glaze
Time & Serving
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 55 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Servings: 8 slices
Tips & Variations
- Use dark brown sugar for a deeper flavor
- Soak dried fruits in orange juice or rum for extra moisture
- Swap nuts for sunflower seeds for a nut-free version
