If you’re searching for a classic treat that bursts with festive flavor and brings back cozy memories, look no further than Homemade Fruit Cake. Overflowing with tender dried fruit, crunchy nuts, warm spices, and a hint of citrus, this cake is a beloved tradition for good reason. It perfectly balances richness and brightness, making it the star of any celebration or teatime gathering.

Homemade Fruit Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in Homemade Fruit Cake is selected for the gorgeous layers of flavor, texture, and color it adds, so don’t skip a thing! The magic really happens when these simple pantry staples come together to create something truly decadent.

Unsalted butter, softened: Essential for moisture and richness; be sure it’s soft for an ultra-creamy batter.
Brown sugar, packed: Adds a deep caramel note and helps keep the cake soft and chewy.
Large eggs: They bind everything together and give the cake a sturdy yet tender crumb.
Orange juice: Delivers a bright, zesty tang that highlights the dried fruit.
Molasses: Provides that signature fruit cake depth and a hint of old-fashioned charm.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and adds a comforting aroma.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of the batter; use good-quality for the best results.
Ground cinnamon: A classic spice that brings warmth and coziness to every slice.
Ground nutmeg: Plays beautifully with cinnamon for a well-rounded, spiced finish.
Ground cloves: Just a pinch brings out the richness of the fruit and nuts.
Salt: Brightens the flavors and makes the sweet elements pop.
Baking powder: Gives the cake a gentle lift for a perfect, even crumb.
Mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, chopped dates, apricots): The star of the show, infusing every bite with bursts of sweetness.
Chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans): Add crunch and a delicious nutty flavor that balances all the softness.
Zest of 1 orange: Packs vibrant citrus oils that complement the spices and fruit.
Optional dark rum or brandy: A splash brings a traditional, festive note and preserves the cake beautifully.

How to Make Homemade Fruit Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 300°F (150°C) to ensure even, gentle baking that will keep your fruit cake wonderfully moist. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the paper hang over the sides for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and slightly lighter in color. This step is key for a tender crumb and that melt-in-your-mouth bite Homemade Fruit Cake is famous for.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Flavorings

Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Next, blend in the orange juice, molasses, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest. These ingredients add moisture, beautiful aroma, and layers of flavor that set the cake apart.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking powder. The spices and leavening must be well combined before meeting the wet ingredients to prevent clumps and ensure even baking.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet batter, stirring just until combined. Be gentle; overmixing can make the cake tough. Stop as soon as you don’t see any more flour streaks.

Step 6: Add Fruit, Nuts, and Spirits

Fold in the mixed dried fruit and chopped nuts, ensuring an even distribution throughout the batter. If you’re going for the traditional twist, add the optional dark rum or brandy now for extra spirit and depth.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top gently. Pop it in the oven and bake for 75–90 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool and Unmold

Let the homemade fruit cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, using the parchment sling, lift it onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. This helps keep the texture perfect and makes slicing a breeze.

How to Serve Homemade Fruit Cake

Garnishes

You can elevate a slice of fruit cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of extra orange zest on top. For special occasions, a few candied cherries or whole toasted nuts make an irresistible finishing touch.

Side Dishes

Pairing this dessert with a cup of strong, hot tea or fresh-brewed coffee is a classic move. For something extra celebratory, try serving Homemade Fruit Cake with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream or thick Greek yogurt to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, you can slice the fruit cake thin and arrange it on a platter with wedges of fresh citrus and bite-size cheeses. It’s also beautiful served in individual portions, wrapped in wax paper and tied with a ribbon for a charming edible gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Homemade Fruit Cake actually gets better after a day or two, as the flavors have time to meld. Wrap leftovers snugly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store at room temperature for up to one week—or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Freezing

If you want to keep your cake for longer, Homemade Fruit Cake freezes beautifully. Wrap slices (or the whole loaf) tightly, pop them in a freezer bag, and store up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and they’ll taste just as wonderful as day one.

Reheating

While this cake is lovely at room temperature, a quick warm-up can be cozy on chilly days. Heat a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or warm it gently in a low oven. Enjoy it with a pat of butter melting on top for an extra treat.

FAQs

Can I make Homemade Fruit Cake without alcohol?

Absolutely! Simply skip the rum or brandy, and your cake will still be flavorful and moist. If you like, soak your fruit in tea or orange juice for a non-alcoholic twist.

What kind of dried fruit works best?

The beauty of Homemade Fruit Cake is its flexibility—use whatever you have on hand. Raisins, currants, dates, apricots, cherries, or even chopped prunes blend well together. A colorful mix is always welcome!

Why does fruit cake need to be aged?

Aging improves the flavor and texture, allowing the spices and dried fruit to meld deliciously. If you brush it lightly with alcohol and let it rest in the fridge for a week or more, the taste just keeps getting better.

How do I prevent my fruit cake from being dry?

Be careful not to overbake, as fruit cake can dry out quickly. Also, keep your fruit fresh and plump—soaking it in juice or alcohol before baking works wonders. Airtight wrapping during storage is essential for keeping moisture in.

Is Homemade Fruit Cake suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly and contains no meat or animal by-products except for eggs and dairy. For a vegan version, try swapping in flax eggs and plant-based butter, though results might vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

You truly can’t beat the joy of slicing into a loaf of Homemade Fruit Cake, the sweet aroma filling your kitchen and every bite bursting with festive flavor. Whether you’re gifting it, sharing with friends, or savoring a secret slice with your afternoon tea, this recipe brings warmth to every occasion. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your own cherished tradition, too!

Homemade Fruit Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 3 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of a classic Homemade Fruit Cake. This moist and rich cake is packed with a medley of dried fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices, perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon molasses
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, chopped dates, apricots)
1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
zest of 1 orange
2–3 tablespoons dark rum or brandy (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mix wet ingredients: Cream butter and brown sugar, then add eggs one at a time. Mix in orange juice, molasses, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking powder.
Combine mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Fold in dried fruit and nuts. Add rum or brandy if desired.
Bake: Pour batter into pan and bake for 75–90 minutes. Cool before serving.