Simply Fruitcake
Rich, moist, and bursting with the warmth of holiday spices, Simply Fruitcake is the ultimate classic dessert for festive gatherings or cozy tea time treats. This easy-to-follow recipe combines pantry essentials like all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and butter with a medley of mixed dried fruits, chopped nuts, and a hint of orange zest for a flavorful twist. The optional step of soaking the fruits in orange juice adds an extra layer of succulence, while ingredients like molasses and cinnamon lend a deep, aromatic sweetness. Baked to perfection in just 90 minutes, this beautifully spiced fruitcake gets even better with time, making it ideal for preparing ahead. Whether glazed with orange juice or paired with a splash of liquor for extra indulgence, this timeless recipe is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Keywords: fruitcake recipe, classic fruitcake, holiday dessert, spiced fruitcake, easy fruitcake recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 pieces large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 0.25 cup dark molasses
- 0.5 cup milk
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (e.g., raisins, currants, chopped apricots, cherries)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (e.g., pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 tablespoon zest of an orange
- 0.5 cup orange juice (optional, for soaking fruits)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Grease a 9-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
If desired, soak the dried fruits in orange juice for 30 minutes prior to beginning the recipe for extra moisture and flavor. Drain before using.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and dark molasses.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Fold in the dried fruits, nuts, and orange zest until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the fruitcake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cool, wrap the fruitcake tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Let it rest for at least a day to develop its flavors before serving. Optionally, brush the cake with additional orange juice or a splash of your favorite liquor for extra moisture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
543 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.1 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.6 g | 58% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 106 mg | 35% | |
| Sodium | 122 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 73.6 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.3 g | ||
| Protein | 7.7 g | 15% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 72 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 413 mg | 9% | |
*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.
