Warmly spiced traditional Rich Fruit Cake studded with dried fruits and nuts. Layers of brandy and sherry keep it moist and flavorful.
Rich Fruit Cake is as much a part of the Christmas season as other traditional symbols like the Christmas tree, poinsettias, and mistletoe. Rumor has it that the Fruit Cake is never eaten but regifted each year. 😉 I have been making my own Fruit Cake for the past several years and rest assured it does not last through New Year’s Day although it is never offered to the kids. In fact, this loaf is almost half gone! And yes, there is booze in the cake.
Ageing This Rich Fruit Cake
I look forward to making this cake each year, normally two to three weeks before Christmas. It is then allowed to age in the fridge and brushed with brandy and sherry each week. This not only makes the cake very moist but also incredibly tasty…hic! Once you have tasted homemade Fruit Cake, you will never again eat store bought ones.
This recipe was adapted from the Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbook on Cakes & Slices.
Note: The ingredients listed in the recipe card below is for making one loaf of Rich Fruit Cake even though you see two loaf pans going into the oven. I doubled the recipe for two loaves in the step-by-step pictures.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Rich Fruit Cake
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Wilton Large Nonstick Loaf Pan, 9.25 by 5.25-Inch
Norpro Silicone Basting Brush, Blue
Rich Fruit Cake
Ingredients
Dried Fruits
Cake Batter
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (225g)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 stick butter (½ cup/115g)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (45g)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plum jam (or marmalade)
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
- ¼ cup warm water (60ml)
Mixed-ins
- ½ cup red glazed cherries (90g)
- ½ cup green glazed cherries (90g)
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped) (100g)
- 2 tbsp dried Clementine peel
Instructions
- Combine raisins, dates, apricots, and prunes in a medium sized bowl. Pour in brandy and sherry (or rum), cover, and leave overnight at room temperature.
- Grease a 9”x5” loaf pan and line with 2 layers of parchment paper. Drain soaked fruits, reserving the liquid.
- Sift flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and baking powder into a bowl. Combine plum jam (or marmalade), instant coffee, and warm water in a bowl. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add egg and beat until combined, about 1 minute.
- Add flour mixture and combined plum jam (or marmalade), instant coffee, and warm water mixture. Beat on low speed until just combined.
- Remove bowl from stand mixer. Stir in soaked fruits, glazed cherries, walnuts, and orange peel.
- Spread mixture into prepared pan.
- Bake in oven for about 2 hours**. Test with a wooden pick. Cake is done if pick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool in the pan. When cooled, remove cake from pan. Peel off parchment paper.
- Brush reserved liquid all over the cake.
- Wrap with parchment paper followed by aluminum foil.
- Then wrap with plastic and seal cake in food storage bag.
- Place cake in the refrigerator and allow it to age in there for 2 weeks.
- Brush cake once a week (for 2 more times) with brandy and sherry (or rum) and reseal.
- Finish cake within a month or freeze for up to three months.
Notes
Nutrition
Aged with Liqueur and Ready to be Served
You can serve this Fruit Cake after brushing it with brandy and sherry three times in about three weeks. At this time the cake is deliciously moist and flavorful.
Only cut as many slices desired for that serving. I like to cut each slice about ½ inch thick. Simply reseal remaining loaf of cake and place it back in the refrigerator.
NOTE: This post was updated on December 25th, 2019 with new pictures. There is a minor change to the recipe with one additional new ingredient to give the cake an even better flavor.
Snow Storm
And now to share with you some pictures of the storm that hit us this past weekend. I think we had about 17 inches of snow. The snow drifts were about 2 to 3 feet high. Our single stage snow thrower could not handle the job and so we had to shovel instead. It was back breaking and bitterly cold. The windchill brought the temperatures down to between -15°F to -30°F on Sunday.
This is the view from our front porch. Standing at the front door, the street is obscured from view because of the mountain of snow plowed onto the yard by the city snow plows. You can compare the snow pictures taken last February in this post. Also check out my winter freezer post.
Look at all that snow piled up on the roof. Down it comes with that 30 feet long roof rake!
Roof Raking
Ro-Ri San and Ro-Jiro had to put on snow shoes to get to the front of the house so as not to sink knee deep into the snow. Raking the roof is hard work but necessary to prevent excessive snow from collecting on the roof. It also prevents ice damming at the edge of the roof blocking melting snow from draining off and causing leaks in the ceilings.
Yikes! The inflatable roof of the Metrodome, home of the Minnesota Vikings collapsed Sunday morning after the heavy snowfall. The scheduled game between the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants will be played tonight at Detroit instead.
Backyard Skating Rink
This is our backyard neighbor throwing snow off his skating rink with his 2 stage snow thrower. Even his 2 stage was not able to handle the thick snow close to the edge of the rink. He sets up the rink each year for the past ten years after all the leaves from the trees have fallen. We have the best view of the ice hockey game being played here during the holidays.
Maintaining the rink is hard work as it needs resurfacing every two weeks or so. After throwing off the snow in the morning, he was out there later that day in the bitter cold spraying a layer of water on the surface to get it smooth and ready for the season. Despite the cold, I am sure we’ll see his son out there this evening.
Anyone care for some ice skating?
Cherine says
The fruit cake looks wonderful.
Oh my God the snowww!!
Cristina says
So beautiful all that snow! That’s the kinda stuff that helps get ya in the spirit of the holiday season. 🙂 So different from So Calif – we had temps in the 80s yesterday. I’m so missing sweater weather.
Luv the pictures of the fruit cake’s batter. So many goodies and spirits in this bread! What a lovely seasonal treat and tradition.
Roxan says
Yum, Biren, this fruit cake looks so dense and delicious. Not everyone likes fruit cake but I do. I think I just like anything that is carb-y in general!
Beautiful pictures of the snow!! Please keep posting them, I really enjoy looking at them!
Sommer @ A Spicy Perspective says
Holy cow–look at that snow! we get a couple inches and school is canceled!
That is the best looking fruit cake I’ve ever seen. You’ve convinced me to give it a 2nd (really 102nd) chance!
Sanjeeta kk says
The cake looks so flavorful and rich. Can’t wait to try it son. Love the spices and the fruit mix you used in it.
Anncoo says
Biren, Your fruit cake looks good and I also like to add liqueur in my fruit cake too.
WOW, that’s a heavy snow, how I wish that we can have a little snow here during the hottest day.
Biren says
A little snow will be good in your warm weather. If only we can have a little of the warm weather now. It is freezing over here…brrrr!
Victoria says
Believe it or not, I’ve never had fruit cake! Ever!! I think it’s always seemed scary (at least its reputation) so I’ve stayed away, but I’d love to try yours! Also, that’s so cool that your neighbor has a skating rink! I used to figure skate for many years, and I can imagine how fun it is to have a rink in your yard (but also a true testament to how cold it is!!)
Biren says
It is so cool that you figure skate. Figure skating is my favorite Winter Olympic event to watch. Unfortunately I can only move forward on ice skates and not very much of anything else.
Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox says
Oh my gosh. I got a chill just looking at those photos. Gorgeous white snow though. Beautiful colorful fruit cake. Of course the booze makes it better. Stay warm!
Green Girl @ A little bit of everything says
OMG so much snow
I wouldn’t get my nose out of the house on a day like this :))
the fruit cake look great, bet it is delicious.
thanks for sharing, hope you’ll have a wonderful Monday
elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds says
Wow-Just lost my entire comment…forgot the captcha phrase button, and when I went back…pufff…gone!
OK-Just wanted to let you know, that your fruit cake is the most gorgeous cake I’ve ever seen…honest!
All that love, and hard work that went into it is like “GOLD” gotta to savor this amazing cake, with tiny portions to dole out…LOL
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe with the step-by-step photos, Biren!
I’m freezing, just looking at your NOT SO WINTER WONDERLAND photos, and glad that I’m not there!
Can’t say it’s warm here in S. Florida either, but it only lasts for a short time!
Biren says
I am trying to practise self restraint here by not raiding any more of the cake or there will be none left for Christmas. It is hard when it is on the front page of my blog.
Yes, it is freezing but it does look kinda pretty. A white Christmas for sure. 🙂
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I’ve never been a fruitcake fan but this could change my mind. It looks fantastic.
My sister is up in Minneapolis and is sitting at home in front of a fire because of the blizzard up there. I guess the Vikings will get the new stadium they’ve been wanting for so long now, huh. 🙂
Adora's Box says
Cake looks delicious! Snow pictures are brrrrilliant!
tigerfish says
Really looks richly loaded with fruits and nuts!
Zoe says
The fruit cake is so beautiful…and the snow is magnificent!
lequan says
Oh Biren, you totally had me at booze…haha. Your cake looks fantastic!
Holy moley! That sure was a quite a storm you had. I’m jealous of your neighbour’s ice rink. My back neighbor has an ice rink too, but we have a fence between us so no free skating for us 😉
Try to stay warm, my friend.
Biren says
Our neighbor did casually mention that we can use the rink some years back but we have never done it. We normally go downtown to skate on a huge frozen lake. Will share pictures when we get there. I think they have just opened it for skating but it is too cold and there are many things going on right now.
pavithra says
The fruit cake looks super moist and yummy !!! I wish I am there now to enjoy the snow.. Unfortunately I am not in MN now.. do share ur skate pictures as well.
Mary says
Bob and I both love fruitcake so your recipe has found a happy home. This sounds delicious. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
pigpigscorner says
Looks so dense and yummy! Love fruitcake but have never tried making myself.
penny aka jeroxie says
So much snow!! Love the cake as well 🙂
Rumana says
What a lovely bread and OMG the snow is to much:)
Pachecopatty says
Hi Biren, your post really made me smile, from the yes there is booze in this cake to the boys raking snow off the roof and don’t forget the ice skating rink, I am just loving your blog. I would also enjoy a slice of your fruit cake any time of day, it looks wonderful- thanks for sharing your recipe as well as a slice of your life, Patty
Biren says
You are so sweet Patty. Yours and all the other comments light up my day. 🙂
Monet says
This looks SO much better than what I can find in the store. And I love that it gets brushed with brandy…I”m sure that it makes it super delicious! Bless your heart with all that snow. Stay warm, my dear. Thank you for sharing with me today. Have an afternoon full of love!
sarah says
Oh my..so much snow!!!!!
no snow yet here 🙁
And the cake looks so rich and yummy.. i wanna grab one now..
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner says
Ok, I’ve never made one of these, but this looks great. Maybe I’ll give it a try.
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Juliana says
Biren, the fruit cake sure looks very rich….lots of fruits in it.
The snow that you have looks very scary…
torviewtoronto says
delicious christmas fruit cake
lots of snow over there we getting too
Faith says
Your fruitcake is absolutely magnificent, Biren! My mom would adore it (it’s one of her holiday favorites). All that snow is just gorgeous! That is so cool that your neighbor makes an ice skating rink!
Blackswan says
What a colourful fruitcake! I could feel the X’mas spirit even tho’ far away from u. Hahaha! I’m freezing here just looking at your pix….
Angie's Recipes says
Gosh…Biren, the snow…that’s HEAVY!
Your fruitcake looks rich and festive loaded with fruits!
DongXing says
Hello Biren. Your fruit cake is calling out to me…I love fruit cake, especially at Christmas time with all the booze in there making it extra boozy and festive. I could do with a slice right now at work!!! Love the snow and the ice rink – my kids would go wild in the rink. Thanks for sharing.
Biren says
A fruit cake is a must for Christmas. The booze makes it extra special. 😉 Though it is really cold, the snow is kinda nice. It provides the atmosphere for the holidays. Definitely a white Christmas this year. 🙂
5 Star Foodie says
A terrific fruit cake for sure! I love all those dried fruits and cherries in there, and perfect with brandy and sherry too. And wow, that’s a lot of snow!
Joanne says
I’ve always wanted to find a really good fruitcake recipe because I feel like it has so much unexplored potential! This looks wonderful.
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
I know all that snow is giving you a hard time, but my goodness it’s just so beautiful, that I feel snow envy creeping up on me again LOL
My boys would go wild if they had a skating rink just next door!
I love the light golden look of your fruitcake – so different from the awfully dark and ancient looking ones in the shops 😛
Biren says
It is very cold and can be a lot of work but it is beautiful. Definitely a white Christmas this year. The snow provides atmosphere and a nice backdrop for the decorations and festivities. 🙂
Yeah, the kids have fun on the rink. If only I can skate like them.
Ancient fruit cakes? LOL! This delicious cake does have a bad rep.
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says
I can’t get OVER how much snow that is Biren!!! Scream!!!!
By the way it is totally fruit cake time so thanks for posting! I can’t get enough of the stuff. Yours is yum, yum, yum 🙂
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Biren says
I am glad to know there are some out there who love fruit cake. This cake is delicious but unfortunately it has a bad rep.
Julie M. says
Would you believe I’ve never tried fruitcake before? This actually looks quite delicious. I love how it’s soaked in alcohol; yum!
And holy moly on all that snow! It’s been awhile since I’ve lived in the north; I’ve forgotten what that much snow looks like! Love the skating rink; how cool of your neighbor to do that!
Jeannie says
I must say that fruit cake looks really tempting with all the fruits and nuts in it…I have made fruit cakes before but not this type where you need to keep brushing with brandy and waiting for weeks before one gets to enjoy it.
J says
I have baked this very cake twice and loved it but I misplaced the book this year and stumbled upon your blog searching for the recipe. Merry Xmas!
Ruby says
Ha ha – I was just telling a French friend here about the joke that in the US there is really one lone fruitcake and it keeps getting ‘re-gifted’ and passed around. I’m not a fan of candied peel, but living in the UK, where there’s a fruit cake for every occasion, I’ve grown fond of it. I especially love Christmas cake, which is fruit cake soaked in booze and covered in marzipan and royal icing! Hpe you don’t get quite as much snow this year… 🙂
Biren says
Haha…the legend of the re-gifted fruit cake lives on! Yes, I know of those fruit cakes covered in royal icing. At one time it was very popular at weddings. They taste so good and look so pretty. 🙂
Jeannie says
Time I bake some fruit cakes for the cny, just nice to eat by that time huh! Nice recipe!
Salmah Yusoff says
I just came across yr blog and love it. Interested in the fruitcake recipe. What if I omit the liquor, will the cake taste as good? Thank you.
Biren says
You will still need to rehydrate the fruits. Try using grape juice, apple juice or apple cider.