Old Fashion Fruit Cake
Old Fashion Fruit Cake offers a rich blend of dried fruits, nuts, and warm spices, perfect for festive occasions or cozy family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberry jam ⓘ
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 cups cake flour ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1 orange, diced ⓘ
- 1 large container candied fruit ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 1 cup buttermilk ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cocoa ⓘ
- 1 cup nuts ⓘ
- 1 cup coconut ⓘ
- 2 apples, diced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup butter or oleo ⓘ
- 6 eggs ⓘ
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add nuts and strawberry jam, then mix in the flour and buttermilk.
- Add the remaining ingredients, including eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Pour the batter into prepared loaf pans, Bundt pan, or layer pans.
- Bake at 350°F until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, approximately 60 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moister fruit cake, consider adding a splash of orange juice or using a mix of fresh and dried fruits. If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the sugar slightly or substitute with a sugar alternative. You can also use whole wheat flour for a richer flavor. Be sure to check the cake a few minutes before the suggested baking time, as ovens may vary.
Serving Suggestions
This Old Fashion Fruit Cake is delightful served plain, but you can also dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for extra sweetness. Pair it with a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. It also makes a lovely gift, especially during the holidays, and pairs beautifully with Mom'S Spice Cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover fruit cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. To reheat, wrap the cake in foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 15-20 minutes, ensuring it stays moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Old Fashion Fruit Cake contains roughly 1149 calories, with 17g protein, 127g carbohydrates, and 70g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (87% of the Daily Value), iron (62% of the Daily Value), and potassium (39% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 24g 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 different fruits in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute the raisins, apples, or candied fruit with your favorite dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, or cherries. Just make sure to adjust the moisture content if you use very dry fruits.
Can I make this fruit cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake actually improves in flavor after a day or two. You can bake it a week in advance and store it properly. Just make sure to keep it wrapped tightly to maintain its freshness.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Old Fashion Fruit Cake is suitable for vegetarians. If you want to make it vegan, you can replace the eggs with a flaxseed mixture or applesauce and use vegan butter to keep the flavors intact.
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).