Delicious Fruit Cake
A rich and fruity cake packed with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, soaked in brandy for deep flavor. Perfect for special occasions or holiday celebrations, this moist and dense fruit cake offers a delightful blend of sweetness and warmth that appeals to fruitcake lovers and festive hosts alike.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. seeded raisins ⓘ
- 1 lb. seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1 lb. currants ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. candied lemon peel ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. candied orange peel ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb. candied cherries ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb. candied pineapple ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb. pecans ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb. English walnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. almonds ⓘ
- 1 lb. dates ⓘ
- 1 c. brandy
- 5 c. flour ⓘ
- 1 tsp. soda ⓘ
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 3 tsp. allspice ⓘ
- 3 tsp. cloves ⓘ
- 2 tsp. nutmeg ⓘ
- 12 eggs
- 1 lb. butter ⓘ
- 1 lb. light brown sugar
Instructions
- Pour 1/4 cup brandy over raisins and currants; let soak while you chop and slice other fruits and nuts.
- Mix all fruit and dredge with 3 cups flour.
- Sift the rest of the flour with soda, baking powder, and spices.
- Cream butter; add sugar and cream until light and fluffy.
- Add well beaten egg yolks, molasses, figs, and strawberries, and blend.
- Add fruits and nuts to the batter.
- Fold in the dry ingredients.
- Beat egg whites until stiff.
- Gently fold egg whites into the batter.
- Turn the batter into pans lined with wax paper.
- Fill pans three-quarters full.
- Bake at 250°F (120°C) for about 3 hours for a 2-pound cake and 4 hours for a 5-pound cake.
- Brush tops and sides of the cakes with Brown Sugar Glaze.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of orange juice or zest to the batter. If you don't have all the dried fruits listed, you can substitute with your favorites, such as figs or apricots. Remember to soak the fruits in brandy longer for a richer flavor. For a lighter cake, use unsweetened applesauce in place of some butter.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of this Delicious Fruit Cake with a dollop of whipped cream or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat. It pairs beautifully with Quick Cottage Cheese Fruit Salad for a balanced dessert spread. You can also drizzle a little brandy sauce over each slice for added richness.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. You can also wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, simply let it thaw at room temperature or warm it gently in the oven to preserve its moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Delicious Fruit Cake contains roughly 2458 calories, with 24g protein, 297g carbohydrates, and 148g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (140% of the Daily Value), iron (84% of the Daily Value), and potassium (64% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 39g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh fruits instead of candied ones?
Fresh fruits will change the texture and moisture of the cake. If you prefer using fresh fruits, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe and adjust the baking time accordingly, as fresh fruits tend to add more moisture.
What can I substitute for the brandy?
If you want to avoid alcohol, you can substitute brandy with apple juice or a mixture of water and vanilla extract. This will still provide moisture and a hint of flavor without the alcohol content.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
To test if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is ready. Keep in mind that baking at a low temperature may require a bit more time, so check it periodically.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).