Fruit Cake (Alcohol and No-Alcohol)
This classic and moist fruit cake is balanced in flavors and studded with soaked dried and candied fruits. Can also be made without alcohol.
- Prep time
- 8 hr 10 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Yield
- 18 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- For Fruit Cake //
- 3/4 cup candied fruits
- 1/8 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/8 cup raisins (I used golden)
- 1/8 cup candied cherries
- 1/4 cup chopped dried figs
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup chopped dates
- 1/2 cup nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts)
- 1 cup dark rum / brandy / apple juice / orange juice
- 200 grams or 14 tablespoons butter (I used salted) Add 1/2 tsp salt, if using unsalted butter.
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of cardamom, optional
- 10-12 blanched almonds, optional
- For Storing //
- Alcohol or simple syrup
- For Orange Glaze Icing //
- 5 tablespoons powdered or Confectioner's sugar
- 2 tablespoons Fresh orange juice or as needed
- Few drops of orange essential oil (optional)
- NOTE: Some ingredients can be replaced with their vegan counterparts.
Instructions
- 1
Soak candied fruits, dried cranberries, raisins, candied cherries, dried figs, dried apricots, chopped dates, walnuts, almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts in 1 cup alcohol or juice for overnight or 24 hours.
- 2
Mix well and cover tightly with a plastic wrap and, and store at room temperature.
- 3
NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.
- 4
Preheat oven to 320 degrees F (160°C). Grease a 10-cup Bundt pan (tube pan) with butter and make sure you butter in every nook and corner.
- 5
Dust with some dry flour and shake off the excess flour. (You can also arrange blanched almonds at the bottom of the pan.)
- 6
To make the cake, in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- 7
Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until fully incorporated.
- 8
Add sifted flour, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, baking powder, baking soda, orange zest, and lemon zest.
- 9
Mix well on low speed, and beat until just combined. Make sure the batter is completely mixed.
- 10
Stir in the soaked dried and candied fruits and chopped nuts and fold until combined.
- 11
Add blanched almonds to the bottom fo the pan.
- 12
Scrape batter into greased bundt pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- 13
Let it cool in pan for 10 minutes, then you can either sprinkle with 2 tablespoons alcohol or unsweetened juice.
- 14
Invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- 15
NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.
- 16
Then, with a skewer, poke holes on the top surface of the cake and liberally brush with alcohol or juice.
- 17
Soak cheesecloth with 1-2 tablespoons of alcohol.
- 18
Wrap the cake thoroughly in cheesecloth and then in a parchment paper. Alternatively use a plastic wrap or aluminum foil to wrap.
- 19
Place in an airtight cake tin or container and age for 2-3 weeks.
- 20
Brush with 1-2 tablespoons of alcohol once a week up until a few days before you ice the cake.
- 21
NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.
- 22
To make the glaze, in a medium bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and a few drops of orange essential oil.
- 23
Mix until smooth. If needed, thin the glaze with orange juice.
- 24
NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.
- 25
Drizzle the glaze evenly over the cake and let set for about 10 minutes.
- 26
Slice and serve at room temperature along with some warm mulled wine.
- 27
NOTE: Watch the recipe video to learn how to perform these cooking steps.
- 28
ENJOY THIS RECIPE.