Fruit Cake Recipe Uk

Cheetahshop

October 21, 2022

Introduction

Fruit cake is a traditional Christmas cake in the UK. It's a dense and moist cake packed with dried fruits and nuts, spices, and sometimes alcohol. It's a perfect treat for the festive season that can be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee. This recipe is easy to follow and produces a delicious fruit cake that's sure to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a fruit cake:

500g mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas, and chopped apricots)
100g glacé cherries, halved
150g unsalted butter, softened
150g light brown sugar
3 large eggs
225g self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
100ml brandy or sherry (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2. Grease a 20cm round cake tin and line the bottom and sides with baking paper.

Step 2: Prepare the fruits

In a large bowl, mix together the mixed dried fruits, glacé cherries, and brandy or sherry (if using). Cover the bowl with cling film and leave it to soak for at least a few hours or overnight.

Step 3: Make the cake batter

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then sift in the flour, mixed spice, and cinnamon. Add the vanilla extract and mix everything together until well combined.

Step 4: Combine the fruits and cake batter

Fold the soaked fruit mixture into the cake batter until evenly distributed. Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Bake the cake

Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 2-2.5 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with foil halfway through baking.

Step 6: Cool and store the cake

Once the cake is cooked, remove it from the oven and leave it to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cake in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrition

Here's the approximate nutritional information for a slice of fruit cake (based on 12 slices per cake):

Calories: 350
Protein: 4g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fat: 12g
Saturated fat: 7g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 150mg

Tips and Variations

You can substitute the brandy or sherry with orange juice if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
You can add chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, to the fruit mixture for extra texture.
For a more festive touch, decorate the top of the cake with glacé fruits and nuts before baking.
The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap it in cling film and aluminum foil before freezing.

Conclusion

Fruit cake is a traditional and delicious treat for the festive season. This recipe is easy to follow and produces a moist and flavorful cake that's perfect for sharing with family and friends. With a little bit of preparation, you can make a homemade fruit cake that's sure to impress.