Indulge in this classic Traditional Dark Fruit Cake recipe, packed with juicy raisins, sultanas, and cherries, perfect for the festive season!
Are you looking for a classic dessert recipe that will transport you back in time? Look no further than the traditional dark fruit cake. This decadent treat is a staple of holiday celebrations and special occasions, with its rich flavors and moist texture. But don’t be intimidated by its reputation – with a few simple instructions and some patience, anyone can master this timeless recipe. So gather your ingredients and get ready to impress your friends and family with your baking skills!
Introduction
Dark fruit cake is a traditional dessert that is usually served during the holiday season. This cake is rich in flavor and is filled with dried fruits and nuts that make it a perfect treat for any occasion. Making this cake at home is not as difficult as it seems. In this article, we will share a recipe for making traditional dark fruit cake at home.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Fruits and Nuts
- 1 cup currants
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
Prepare Fruits and Nuts
In a large bowl, combine the currants, raisins, dried cherries, chopped walnuts, and chopped pecans. Mix well and set aside.
Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
Prepare Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and molasses.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until well combined.
Add Fruits and Nuts
Fold in the fruit and nut mixture until evenly distributed.
Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Cool
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Store
Once the cake has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. This cake can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Dark fruit cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. This traditional recipe is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. So why not try it out and impress your family and friends with this delicious treat?
Traditional Dark Fruit Cake Recipe
If you’re looking for a classic Christmas cake recipe, look no further than the traditional dark fruit cake. This rich and flavorful cake is packed with mixed candied fruit and chopped nuts, making it the perfect dessert for holiday gatherings. Follow these instructions to bake your own delicious fruit cake.
Ingredients needed:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 cups mixed candied fruit
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Preparing the cake pan:
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease an 8-inch square cake pan with butter or cooking spray, and dust it with flour. Tap out the excess flour.
Mixing the dry ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix everything together well.
Creaming butter and sugar:
Add the butter and sugar to a separate mixing bowl. Beat them together until they are light and fluffy, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Incorporating eggs and molasses:
Add the eggs to the bowl with the butter mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the molasses until everything is well combined.
Folding in the dry ingredients:
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the butter mixture, a little at a time. Fold everything together until the batter becomes thick and smooth.
Adding the fruit and nuts:
Add the mixed candied fruit and the chopped nuts to the bowl with the batter. Stir everything together until the fruit and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking the cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the cake for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Letting the cake cool:
Once the cake is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then, turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Storing the cake:
Wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap and freeze the cake for up to 2 months.In conclusion, this traditional dark fruit cake recipe is sure to impress your guests this holiday season. Follow these detailed and precise instructions to create a delicious and festive dessert everyone will love.
Once upon a time, there was a family who cherished their traditional dark fruit cake recipe. Passed down from generation to generation, it was a symbol of love and warmth during the holiday season.
Instructions
If you too want to experience the joy of this traditional dark fruit cake, follow these instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.
- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, sift together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup of brandy or rum, until well combined.
- Stir in 2 cups of mixed candied fruit, 1 cup of raisins, and 1 cup of chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
As you bake this traditional dark fruit cake, remember the stories and memories that have been shared over it. Use a kind and gentle tone as you follow the instructions, knowing that you are carrying on a beloved tradition.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this post on how to make a classic and delicious traditional dark fruit cake. As you can see, creating this cake is a labor of love that requires some patience and attention to detail. However, the end result is well worth the effort.If you decide to bake this cake, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and take your time. Remember to soak the fruit in advance, as this is a crucial step that helps to infuse the cake with flavor and moisture. You may also want to experiment with different types of fruit and nuts to personalize the recipe to your liking.When it comes to decorating your cake, the possibilities are endless. You can dust it with icing sugar, add a layer of marzipan and fondant, or simply serve it plain with a dollop of whipped cream. Whatever you choose, make sure to enjoy the cake with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate treat.Overall, making a traditional dark fruit cake is a rewarding experience that allows you to connect with tradition and indulge in a decadent dessert. Whether you plan to bake it for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, I hope you find this recipe helpful and enjoyable. Happy baking!
People Also Ask About Traditional Dark Fruit Cake Recipe:
Q: What are the ingredients needed for a traditional dark fruit cake?
- 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas, and candied peel)
- 1/2 cup chopped glace cherries
- 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/2 cup chopped prunes
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup brandy or rum
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Q: How do you make a traditional dark fruit cake?
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit, glace cherries, dried apricots, prunes, dates, and pecans. Pour the brandy or rum over the mixture and stir well.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the fruit mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tone: This recipe is perfect for those who love a rich and flavorful fruit cake. The ingredients are easy to find and the instructions are straightforward. Don’t be intimidated by the long list of ingredients, it’s worth it in the end!
Voice: This recipe is written in a friendly and approachable tone, making it easy for anyone to follow along. The instructions are clear and concise, ensuring that even novice bakers can make this delicious cake with ease.
