Description
Looking for a festive, flavorful, and nostalgic treat that never goes out of style? Grandma’s Fruit Cake is the perfect answer. This moist, spiced cake is loaded with plump dried fruits soaked in rich flavors and wrapped in a tender, buttery crumb. Whether you’re after a classic holiday dessert, an easy recipe for gifting, or just need dinner ideas that include something sweet to finish with, this fruit cake ticks all the boxes. It’s one of those breakfast ideas turned into a timeless dessert—an easy recipe packed with history, love, and indulgence.
Ingredients
2 cups mixed dried fruits (raisins, cherries, currants, chopped dates, and candied citrus peel)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)
1/2 cup dark rum, brandy, or orange juice (for soaking fruits)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp molasses or dark corn syrup
1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
Instructions
1. Place dried fruits in a bowl and soak with rum, brandy, or juice. Cover and let sit overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
4. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Beat in vanilla and molasses.
6. Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with milk. Do not overmix.
7. Fold in soaked fruits and chopped nuts gently.
8. Pour batter into prepared pan, smooth the top.
9. Bake for 90–120 minutes. Check with a skewer at 90 minutes. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
10. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack. Wrap and rest for 24 hours before serving.
Notes
Soaking fruits in advance ensures juicy bursts of flavor in every bite.
Resting the cake after baking deepens the flavor and improves texture.
For an extra-moist result, brush with brandy or rum every few days while storing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Traditional
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: fruit cake, Christmas dessert, holiday baking, easy recipe, cake gift