Jolly Cake
Delight in the festive charm of Jolly Cake, a moist and aromatic treat that’s perfect for holidays and celebrations alike! This spiced fruit and nut cake combines the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg with the zesty brightness of fresh orange juice and zest, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Packed with a medley of dried fruits—think raisins, cranberries, and apricots—and crunchy chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, every bite bursts with texture and richness. The tender crumb is achieved with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, creamy butter, and milk, while a dusting of confectioners' sugar adds an optional touch of elegance. Ready in just over an hour, this 12-serving cake is as easy to prepare as it is to devour. Perfect for a family gathering, party centerpiece, or just indulging at home, the Jolly Cake is a timeless winter dessert that exudes warmth, nostalgia, and seasonal cheer.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar (packed)
- 3 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 0.25 cup Fresh orange juice
- 0.5 cup Whole milk
- 1.5 cups Mixed dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, etc.)
- 0.75 cup Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
- optional Confectioners' sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan. Dust lightly with flour and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed, until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gently add the dry flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the orange juice and milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—do not overmix.
Using a spatula, fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts evenly into the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake is fully cooled, dust with confectioners' sugar (optional) before serving for a festive touch.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
471 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.6 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.2 g | 56% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 91 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 200 mg | 9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.6 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.0 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.9 g | ||
| Protein | 6.4 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 54 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 259 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
